"The Boy" character by graffiti writer and artist Jano at Feltham Circles

Jano RIP – Graffiti Tributes At Feltham Circles

The graffiti scene recently lost a true virtuoso with the passing at a very young age of Jano.  Jano  was a master of style.  He pulled off the almost impossible feat of constantly innovating and developing new directions while always remaining distinctive and instantly recognisable.

Jano graffiti writer, died 2021 RIP

Jano – Sclater St London 2009

Jano writing “Human”, Leake St London 2009

Jano graffiti writer, died 2021 RIP

Jano Shoreditch 2017

Jano graffiti writer, died 2021 RIP

Jano Shoreditch 2017

Jano graffiti writer, died 2021 RIP

Jano, Bishopsgate 2017

Whenever you came across a Jano piece or saw his latest upload there was always a kaleidescope of geometry and colour that made the letter form almost redundant, yet on close inspection Jano’s inventive and unconventional take on letter shapes would be magically reveal itself to the patient and curious eye.  You did not need to be a graff obsessive to see the beauty in Jano’s style and this cross-over appeal may explain a lot about the high esteem in which Jano was held as well as something about the growing general appreciation of graffiti as a significant, valid culture.

Jano graffiti writer, died 2021 RIP

Jano, Exor Shoreditch 2018

Jano graffiti writer, died 2021 RIP

Jano, Leake St 2020

Jano frequently painted concrete structures at the former sewage works in south west London now known as the Feltham Circles and it is at this location that a large number of tributes to Jano, by fellow writers have appeared – hat tip to Romanwg who messaged me to draw my attention to this.

Panoramic view of graffiti hall of fame at Feltham Circles

Feltham Circles Hall Of Fame, 21 May 2021

Thanks also to local boy Art Of The State who pointed out that Feltham Circles is next to the crematorium where Jano’s funeral service was held.  After the service and the next day friends, relatives and writers gathered at Jano’s favourite location to celebrate his life and pay tribute.

Jano belonged to the graffiti crew Vicious Circle, hence his instagram ID “Jano_Vicious” and the “VIcious Circle” tribute by Gem VCS.

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

Vicious Circle by Gems VCS

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

RIP Jano, by Exor vcs

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

 

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

 

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

Jano tribute by Gasp, background MrMeana

Jano tribute by Gasp, background MrMeana

Jano tribute by Paul “Don” Smith UA

Jano tribute by graffiti writer Skyhigh at graffiti hall of fame Feltham Circles

Jano tribute by Sky High

Some graffiti writers, a talented few, develop a character which becomes as much a signature for their identity as their graffiti style, a character so distinctive and recognisable you are in no doubt who the creator was.  Zomby has it, Tizer has it.  Jano had it too.  “The Boy” as the character is known, a seated character based essentially on a circle, was often found close to Jano’s graffiti and all around his usual writing haunts.

character by Jano painted Sclater St 2009

The Boy – Jano, Sclater St 2009

The Boy is replicated in homage in many of the tributes.

"The Boy" character graffiti homage to graffiti writer and artist Jano at Feltham Circles painted by Chum 101

The Boy character homage by Chum

"The Boy" character graffiti homage to graffiti writer and artist Jano at Feltham Circles

"The Boy" character graffiti homage to graffiti writer and artist Jano at Feltham Circles

The Boy, homage by Gem vcs

"The Boy" character graffiti homage to graffiti writer and artist Jano at Feltham Circles

"The Boy" character graffiti homage to graffiti writer and artist Jano at Feltham Circles

The Boy, homage by Dice

"The Boy" character graffiti homage to graffiti writer and artist Jano at Feltham Circles

The Boy character by Sky High

Among the many character tributes was this particularly poignant shrine.  It is possible that this version of the character may be protected under plastic as a genuine Jano relic, comments seen online from writers paying tribute to Jano suggest this may be the case.

"The Boy" character by graffiti writer and artist Jano at Feltham Circles

Shrine sacred to Jano’s memory, RIP

I only met Jano on just a few occasions many years apart and found him courteous and tolerant of my intrusion on his painting.  RIP Jano, not forgotten.

Jano graffiti writer work in progress, died 2021 RIP

Jano work in progress, Shoreditch 2017

With apologies to all those writers and friends of Jano whose art features in this post but who through my ignorance I can’t credit.  If you know who any of the uncredited pieces are by, just drop me an email: nolionsinengland at gmail or insta dave_stuart_ldn, all polite messages most appreciated!

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

RIP Jano: Gasp, Dice and MrMeana

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles

graffiti tribute to Jano RIP at Feltham Circles