JAN KALÁB (*1978, Prague, Czechia)

is one of the most prominent contemporary artists of the country today. A pioneer of Prague's underground graffiti and street art scene, belongs to the founding generation of writers, was previously known as Cakes. Along with his group, The DSK, they revolutionized the city’s streets and became iconic figures in the European street art scene.

Since then, Jan’s work has evolved into different mediums such as sculptures, suspended light installations, 3D works, paintings and NFTs. His multidisciplinary approach showcases abstract designs filled with organic and geometric shapes and vibrant colors, creating dynamic compositions that seem to come to life.

 

Kalab's work balances on the edge of painting and sculpture, analyzing space through geometrizing morphology, precise acrylic painting or layered surfaces. His work does not follow a replica of the existing but looks for universal beauty in hitherto unseen perspectives and thereby shifts our attention to unknown new dimensions. Critics note that his work evokes sensations akin to déjà vu, reminiscent of a special moment or melody.

 

Graduating with a degree in Fine Arts in 2006. After then had his first solo exhibition in 2008. The original experimental work moved from street facades to prestigious world galleries in places such as New York, Miami, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro or Taipei.  Since then, Kalab's works have been part of the museum collections of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library; Cedar Rapids in the USA; the Museum Nacional de Belas Artes in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; the DEJI Art Museum in China; the Osan Museum in South Korea; as well as the private collections of Dior and Tiffany.

 

 

„My paintings refer to the material world, but I don’t try to capture anything tangible. Rather, I try to create something that does not yet exist in our world and visually manifest its essence. Sometimes the shapes are fluid and evoke biological forms, while geometric shapes can evoke thoughts of the macrocosm. The most important thing for me is how much the artwork embodies the essence of the universe”.

 

-Jan Kaláb-