About J&O Art Studio Cologne

Project J&O Art Studio Cologne 2007 - 2021

JOARTCOLOGNE is the joint project of the artist couple Jana and Oleg, who settled in Cologne in the late 1990s after graduating from the Estonian Academy of Art. Between 2007 and 2021, they created numerous series of paintings under this name, which are now represented in art collections on four continents. One focus of their joint work is on series of paintings with horse motifs, but still lifes and portraits are also part of their repertoire.

The project began with commissions for horse portraits, which soon developed into compositions with specific horse breeds. Over time, extensive series of images were created, most of which were devoted to horse motifs. The artists quickly became known among horse and art lovers in Europe, particularly in England and France, via the then-young Internet, including through their homepage and various platforms. An article in a renowned American art magazine finally brought their breakthrough in the USA and Canada.
In the years that followed, they received commissions from agencies, companies, private collectors and art lovers

– not only from Europe and North America, but also from far-flung countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Argentina. Particularly notable were series of pictures for major projects in Dubai and exhibitions in Florence and Cologne.
Despite global crises and challenges, they always expanded their joint project with fresh ideas and new concepts. But the sudden death of Jana during the Covid pandemic brought this collaboration to an abrupt end.

“The immortal Cheiron from Greek mythology, half human, half horse, embodies the opposite of his wild conspecifics. Among his unruly and foal-like brothers, he was considered a doctor and philosopher. In him, two sides of nature were united: raw primal power and a higher consciousness. To create a being like him, the fusion of two remarkable creatures was necessary. Something similar could be said about the partnership between Jana Fox and Oleg Dyck in the context of the international horse art collection and their project Joartcologne.”

( L.A.Pomeroy, Where horse and human become one. Horses in Art spring 2012 )

“It is very appealing to take up a motif that represents the origins of art and has always fascinated artists. On the other hand, it is a motif that some people find kitsch at first glance and is therefore often viewed with condescension by contemporary artists,” says the artist.
“Art connects us,” adds his partner. “We have very different characters, and our painting techniques are also different. Oleg is a colorist, his technique is expressive and his compositions are more reminiscent of the Baroque. He mixes different styles from different eras brilliantly, boldly and playfully. I, on the other hand, tend towards a calmer, more classical technique.”

As a trained restorer, Jana contributed significantly to the plasticity of the figures and forms. Her precise technique gave the paintings depth and structure. Oleg’s influence, on the other hand, was evident in the dynamic coloring and the fresh, moving composition. The interplay of these two styles led to a pulsating liveliness that was particularly evident in her favorite subjects – horses.

An avid collector from South Carolina said of her work, “You really have to know horses to be able to capture their personality in art.”

Jana Fox/ Wiebe in Memoriam (external homepage)

“The relationship between humans and horses fascinates both artists. It is an old question: How can two such different beings merge into one? Their paintings do not give a clear answer, but invite the viewer to recognize the connection for themselves and to find their own explanations.
All of their horse depictions are compositions that have arisen from a reservoir of memories of movement, feeling and sound. On the wall, their work whispers to the viewer: ‘Look, feel how our heads touch – when did you last feel such tenderness?’
Jana and Oleg are drawn into a mystery that is as old as time itself. What is it about the horse and our relationship with it that keeps captivating us?”

(The Paintings of Jana Fox and Oleg Dyck of JOArtCologne. By Sher Horosko. 15 April 2011)