Janez Lenassi was born in 1927, in the Slovenian part of Yugoslavia.
He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Ljubljana in 1956 and was appointed professor there in 1982.
Along with his work as a sculptor, Lenassi was an acclaimed stage designer for dance and theater and participated in many productions.
He attended his first sculpture symposium in Austria, where he probably met some of the Sculptors whose works are on display here in Mitzpe Ramon, after which he participated in about 30 international sculpture symposia in different parts of the world.
He created a large number of monumental works in public spaces in Slovenia and elsewhere. Lenassi won significant awards and was chairman of the Artists’ Association in Yugoslavia.
He died in 2008 in his homeland.
Janez Lenassi’s works dealt mainly with abstract geometric shapes.
His monumental works are characterized by clean geometric shapes that flow one into the other in an almost imperceptible manner. His style was defined as ascetic and minimalist.
The sculpture in the park is made of yellowish limestone; it is delicately carved and emanates a Gothic feel. The simple geometric shapes flow into each other, creating a kind of torso with a thoughtful, peaceful expression on top.
The slot across the statue, which separates the two parts of the stone, hints at a kind of tension, or a hidden smile, introverted, facing inwards, while gazing into the sublime view.
