Welcome to Gangland, the ongoing series of scratchboards inspired by the events and unique underworld personalities of St. Paul Minnesota's era of corruption. By artist and resident John J. Reipas.
 
These highly detailed works are richly layered in symbolism and historical references. Each piece tackles a specific subject or event from a time when the city was run by the O’connor system, and enforced by the tommy gun.

in accordance to the O’connor protection system, out of town gangsters could move freely without worry of arrest if the paid a small bribe, and agreed not to commit their dirty deeds in town.

This agreement between the police and the criminal underworld turned St. Paul into a giant magnet, attracting gangters, fixers, thugs and mob bosses.

Although the Gangland series is rooted in St. Paul's criminal past, i view these historical figures and events through a lens of drama, abstraction and imagination, which makes each of these finished works speak to an even wider and more tantalizing landscape.

Contact John J. Reipas at johnreipas@reipasart.com
For prices, or to view collection.
(By Appointment)