Jan Kaláb Czech, b. 1978

Jan Kaláb, born in 1978, is one of the most influential and innovative contemporary artists of his generation. A pioneer of Prague's underground graffiti and urban art scene, he belonged to the founding generation of writers and was initially known under the pseudonym “Cakes.” With his collective “The DSK,” they revolutionized the city’s streets and became iconic figures in the European street art scene. Since then, Jan Kaláb’s work has evolved into various mediums, including sculpture, suspended light installations, 3D works, painting, and NFTs. His multidisciplinary approach features abstract designs filled with organic and geometric shapes, as well as vibrant colors, creating dynamic compositions that seem to come to life. 

 

Straddling the line between painting and sculpture, Jan Kaláb’s art explores space through geometrizing morphology, precise acrylic work, and layered surfaces. His work does not aim to replicate the existing but seeks to reveal a universal beauty through previously unseen perspectives, shifting our attention to unknown new dimensions. Critics note that his works evoke sensations akin to déjà vu, reminiscent of a particular moment or melody. 

 

“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.” 

 

Graduating with a degree in Fine Arts in 2006, Jan Kaláb held his first solo exhibition in 2008. His experimental works have moved from urban facades to prestigious galleries around the world, with exhibitions in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro, and Taipei, among others. Since then, his works have been included in the museum collections of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (Cedar Rapids, USA), the Museum Nacional de Belas Artes (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), the DEJI Art Museum (China), the Osan Museum (South Korea), as well as in private collections of Dior and Tiffany.