Jan Kaláb

Overview

“Making art is like trying to conquer unknown territory. A space that doesn’t exist until you discover it."

Jan Kaláb (b.1978 in Czechoslovakia) paintings teeter on the edge of sculpture and his sculptures are mostly painted. All the while, shape and color are the main characters of his work, which he pushes and blends together to exaggerate, or minimize, forms. Sometimes Jan’s work may resemble a particular shape, but it is never his intention to capture, nor replicate an existing image or narrative. Rather, he seeks universal beauty in an unseen and novel perspective, and redirects the known into the unknown; into a new dimension. The sensations of déjà vu, like when remembering a special moment or melody; this is the ultimate feeling, Jan strives to achieve and wishes to resonate with his audience.

Works

Blush Tide 1124, 2024
Amber Void 1124, 2024
Ripple Rise Heat Left 1124, 2024
Ripple Rise Heat Right 1124, 2024
Fruit of Happiness
The Big Wave Part 3L, 2023
The Big Wave Part 26R, 2023
The Big Wave Part 4L

Videos

Biography

Jan Kaláb was born in 1978 in Czechoslovakia, a time when graffiti had yet to appear in the Eastern World. As Czechoslovakia embraced Western influences in the 1990s, he became a pioneer in the local scene and founded the iconic crew, DSK. His journey led him across Europe, where he made a name as Cakes and left his mark on cities.

In 2000, he left a significant mark in New York, painting entire subway cars alongside artists Key and Rome. Around the same time, he ventured into 3-D graffiti, crafting large abstract letters as Point. This artistic evolution, true to the spirit of urban innovation, took graffiti into new dimensions.

From there, his exploration extended to abstraction. Using acrylics and brushes, he embarked on canvas work in 2007, earning him the distinction of being the first Czech writer to graduate from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. His journey included exhibitions across the globe, and his art continued to evolve, embracing geometric forms and vivid squares and circles that explored depth and motion.

Jan Kaláb’s work isn’t confined to the canvas. He’s a co-creator of Prague’s dynamic cultural space, Trafacka, and has engaged in numerous collective events. His art is a testament to the perpetual pursuit of innovation and creativity, deeply rooted in the soul of graffiti.

Exhibitions