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Jiri Janu (1931- 2019) was a Canadian painter. Born in Czech Republic, he begins to draw at the age of 5. Seeking refuge from communist Czechoslovakia in 1948, he established himself in Quebec, Canada, where he studied arts at the École des Beaux-Arts de Montréal under the direction of Arthur Lismer. He was consistently awarded with scholarships and distinctions.

Biography

Jiri Janu was born in Prague, in the Czech Republic in the year of 1931. He was interested in drawing since his early youth. Growing in Prague but spending every summer vacation at his grand-mothers place in Southern Bohemia, he comes to love the country as much as his city, each offering the many subjects for his sketchings that he draws as a young boy without pauze. He leaves his native country in 1949. Military service in the French Foreign Legion takes him to Nord Africa and to Indochina. Ill and wounded after two years of service, he is discharged from the army. He arrives in Canada in 1952, where different employments took him across the land. He finishes by installing himself in Québec. In 1959 he enters the Art school of the Montréal's museum of Fine Arts, where he studies painting under the direction of Arthur Lismer (of the well known Group of seven), having Patrick Landsley, Gentil Tondino, Moe Reinblatt and Guido Molinari for teachers during four years. In 1964 and 1965 he pursues his studies in drawing, painting and engraving (with Albert Dumouchel) at the Montreal's School of Fine Arts. In 1966 he becomes a school teacher in the creative arts. At the same time he continues studies at the University of Québec in Montreal in the evening classes. After four years he obtains his diploma in teaching the creative arts. After his studies he has participated in group and solo exhibitions. Since 1987 it is again possible for Jiri Janu to visit his country of origin. Once a year he goes there to come back with sketches that he uses to create new canvases. The results of these works became parts of private collections on both sides of the ocean and he exposes in different galeries. He passed away in his home in Joliette, in 2019.