m a t e u v e l a s c o
New York, 1980
m a t e u v e l a s c o
New York, 1980
under construction
Prague, Czech Republic - 1978
Lives and works in Prague
Jan Kaláb is a remarkable Czech artist based on the creative roots of graffiti and street art. He belongs to the precursor generation of graffiti in Prague. Gradually, he transferred this visual culture from the street to prestigious gallery spaces across the world. The street facades and experimental works, including for example 3-D graffiti objects, which he pioneered in the international context, were replaced by canvases of various shapes of his own production and abstract sculptures.
The artist's work is accompanied by constant research of new techniques and structures. Through geometrical morphology, precise acrylic painting, or layered surfaces, he begins to analyze space within a classical image. The boundless commitment, the joy of playful discovery and the overcoming of his possibilities leads Jan Kaláb to innovating and removing genre boundaries.
works
Jan Kalab uses an obsessive geometric vocabulary to achieve notions of depth and movement in his compositions. Extremely detail-oriented, Jan builds his own frames and, using a brush and acrylic paint, creates abstractions with a play of tones, with precision and technical mastery being his greatest strengths. The overlapping of circular, complementary and asymmetrical shapes is accompanied by a mix of warm and cool colors, giving his works a certain organic imperfection.
This series explores the relationship between form, shadow and space using cutting and construction techniques and creating three-dimensional installations that challenge the viewer's perception.
“I like the illusion of playing with the inner shadow and the concept that you’re not sure if it’s a positive or negative space. What are you looking at? I was inspired by Lucio Fontana at that time, but a few years later, when I was in Italy, I came across Paulo Scheggi and his work took me to another level", says Jan.
