Portrait automatique 2014 (2014) Drawing by Roger Ernest Jankow

Roger Ernest Jankow, born May 20, 1940 in Lille to a Polish mother and a French traveler father, lives and works in France. Self-taught, he was a student of Nicolaï Greschny, a Russian painter, in 1970. Jankow is a multidisciplinary artist, having explored various professions and forms of artistic expression throughout his life.

Jankow spent years working and learning art history, mastering artistic techniques while growing personally and professionally. His works, mainly produced in ink and charcoal on paper, are marked by deep introspection and a need to free himself from the anxieties of his childhood. This period of his life, although painful, was a creative engine, allowing him to explore varied themes such as immigration, pain and resilience.

In his studio in Morocco, in Asilah Tangier, Jankow found a new artistic freedom, adopting an instinctive and spontaneous approach, inspired by surrealists like Breton. His creative process is often compared to automatic writing, where the gesture comes to life independently of conscious will, thus reflecting the complexity of his inner world.

Roger Ernest Jankow has exhibited his works in numerous galleries and artistic events, both in France and abroad. His artistic career is rich and varied, ranging from his first personal exhibitions at the Galerie Alexandre Dewez in Lille in 1976, to participation in international fairs such as the 27th Salon International de Mantes-la-Jolie in 1986. In 1987, he participated at the Metro International Art Competition in New York, and continues to exhibit regularly in prestigious venues such as the Galerie L'autre Muse in Brussels and the Palais Rihour in Lille.

In 2015, he founded the collective “nøclic.nøscreen_” with two creative coders and a designer, creating several experiential installations integrating LED technology, video mapping, and furniture design. One of their works, “Glimmer of Hope”, interacted with nearly a thousand visitors during the Lyon Festival of Lights.

Today, Jankow is primarily dedicated to creating works using mixed media, sometimes incorporating virtual elements. His audiovisual works, often abstract or inspired by generative design, explore contemporary and universal themes. He continues to work in his studio in France, where he pursues his artistic exploration with unwavering passion and energy.

Despite a career fraught with challenges, Roger Ernest Jankow remains true to his artistic vision, always seeking to understand and express the depths of the human experience through his art. His ability to transform pain into beauty and capture the essence of the human condition makes him a truly unique and inspiring artist.

• Nationality: FRANCE
• Date of birth : 1940
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary French Artists