Jan Kaláb Graffiti Artist Colorful Geometric Forms

His art consists of nothing but fat colorful blobs and other shaded shapes and forms. But one look at them and you’re totally swept off your feet. Meet Jan Kaláb, a Czech born in 1978, who became a graffiti artist when graffiti was literally unknown in his country. He became a pioneer in this field and helped spread his form of art in Eastern European countries in the 90s when they opened to western influences.

Kaláb founded the DSK and became famous throughout Europe, where he was lovingly called ‘Cakes’. This fame was not enough for him and in order to broaden his horizon, he moved to New York, where he started calling himself ‘Point’. Here his acumen for street art came to fore and he started creating huge sculpted abstract letters on the walls and the streets.

Kaláb’s graffiti differs from the usual graffiti in that he never uses a spray can. He chooses to render his graffiti by making it by hand with acrylic paints and brushes. These creations were what led him towards the path of total abstraction. He also perfected 3D graffiti.

In order to further refine his art, Kaláb got enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts of Prague and graduated as Magister of Art in 2006. Incidentally, he was the first Czech to do so from this academy. This motivated him to hold his first solo exhibition in 2008 in Prague that was well received. He also held solo exhibitions in other countries, such as Argentina, Germania and the US.

Kaláb’s inspiration is František Kupka, also known as Frank Kupka or François Kupka, a Czech painter and graphic artist, who was the co-founder of the abstract art movement and Orphic Cubism. Under his influence, Kaláb’s works evolved increasingly towards geometric forms. His colorful use of squares and circles display depth, time and motion. Little wonder, his works are so captivating.

Kaláb is a recipient of 2010 Art Prague Young Award and Prize of UniCredit Bank at Art Prague art fair. He enjoys a fan following of over 32,000 on Instagram.