Januario Jano is an interdisciplinary visual artist who works across sculpture, video, photography, textile, sound installation, and performance. He holds a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Goldsmiths University in London and his practice is substantially research-based.

Enthralled with the hypothesis of a delicate balance between fiction and reality, his practice reflects on ideas of home and self, constantly challenging historic and contemporary narratives within the context of the growing interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations. Januario Jano is interested in deepening investigation into culture production and identity.

Januario’s work has been exhibited internationally and is included in notable private and public collections. His commitment to cultural and social engagement led him to establish Pés Descalços, a cultural and philanthropic collective focused on developing and promoting artistic and cultural projects in Angola. The collective complements the need for intervention in a sustained and grounded manner to enhance the current cultural reinvention taking place in that country. Since 2012, Januario has also been the driving force to help rewrite Angola’s next chapter, from civil war-torn state to innovation hub with the launch of TEDxLuanda, which he organizes and curates.

This year Januario’s included in the First Biennial Of African Photography in Spain, group exhibition at The Museum Of African Art in Belgrade, shortlisted for the second edition for The Norval Sovereign African Art Prize, completed a three months residency at Deveron Project, awarded Honorary Mention of the The QSPA 2022, his first due exhibition in Japan at the Standing Pine gallery, additionally, his solo exhibition Imbambas: Unsettled Feelings of an Object and Self at Kristin Hjelledjerde gallery in London selected to the Top 5 best exhibitions to see in London in January according to FAD magazine. In 2021 Januario’s first major solo exhibition at Gallery Jean-Claude Maier in Frankfurt, curated by Mahret Ifeoma Kupka, the exhibition has been reviewed on major art platforms and was named a “Top 5” best exhibition to see in the E.U. by Frieze magazine. Januario’s work was also featured in a group show at the Tree Art Museum in Beijing. In addition, Januario was selected for the Vantage Point Sharjah 9 project by the Sharjah Foundation, also performing at Goldsmiths CCA in London, and was one of the selected artists for Poldra 2021, a sculpture park project in Viseu, Portugal. He also participated in a “Masterclass” at Circuit by Braga Media Arts 2021 in Braga, Portugal.

In 2020 Januario participated in several group exhibitions both as artist and curator, including the London Grads Now at Saatchi Gallery in London, Departure in Lisbon, and many others. In addition, he was one of the speakers at the Loeries Creative Week 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Januario has been the recipient of multiple awards, including the Honorary Mention for the QSPA 2022, the Deveron Projects Residency 2022, the Art Laguna Prize in 2016, Business for Art prize, and grant from Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation for the “180 artists to the south” residency program.

Januario Jano’s practice reflects on the ideas of home and self, constantly challenging the norms through explorations of historic and contemporary narratives within the context of the growing interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations.

Enthralled with the hypothesis of a delicate balance between fiction and reality, galvanised to explore the relationship between humans and non-humans in time and space. In this context, the role of the body is pivotal, and its multidimensional representation occurs within the framework of proverbial globalisation and cross-cultural interaction.

Research has always been a core element of Jano’s practice. It is essential not only for the development of theoretical ideas that underpin his practice, but also for the thorough selection of material, and texture of each work. Januario tends to start new projects not with a strictly defined narrative, but rather with an idea that can stretch to accommodate future adjustments and reflections. Furthermore, he is intrigued by the possibility of genuine interaction that each piece may have with the audience. The element of spontaneity and rawness is deliberately built into his work to allow for discovery, and this renders the work multilayered and multiphasic.