Jan Kaláb was born in 1978 in Czechoslovakia and is one of the country’s most notable contemporary artists’ today. Jan’s creative roots are based in graffiti, street art, and murals and he is widely recognized within the founding pioneers of the Prague scene. Since then, Jan’s work has evolved to paintings, sculptures, and 3-D graffiti, and he has exhibited in high profile galleries around the world, including New York, Miami, London, Paris, Shanghai, and Rio de Janeiro. Jan’s work consistently explores new techniques and structures. Through geometrizing morphology, precise acrylic painting, and layered surfaces - he embarks on an analysis of space within a classic ideology, however, redirects the known into the unknown; into a new dimension. With an everlasting commitment, joy of playful discovery, and infinite possibilities, Jan Kaláb’s work is free and vaste. He lives and creates in Prague.

His latest series, "Pocket Paintings," is true to the name. This limited collection of 50 miniature paintings launches on November 24th, and are only available at Jankalab.com and Onepoint.cz

INTERVIEW WITH JAN KALÁB

Tell us a little about yourself and how you became an artist?

I was born in Czechoslovakia in the late 70's. Since I was a child, I liked to draw. When the communist regime fell apart in 1989 all the western influences began to spread in our country. Graffiti was one of them. For me as a teenager it was absolutely magical. I became a graffiti writer and street artist - I traveled the world, graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts, and then, slowly turned into a fine artist.

How has your background in street art influenced the work that you're making today?

I think the drive stayed the same. Doing more than the others and work to be seen. Also probably the color palette, because I use a lot of bright colors.

Your work is 2D and 3D, and some of your work flirts with both. What led you to work across different dimensions, and how do you decide the dimensions for new work?

Changing the medium helps me to see my work in a different perspective. Somehow when I create anything in 3D I put colors on it and when I paint on canvas the canvas itself is basically an object. I don't blur the borders on purpose, it is just how it happens.

On November 24th, you're dropping a limited edition of 50 hand-painted replicas of your work. Can you tell us more about about the series?

I do collections of small paintings affordable for young collectors at the end of every year. This year, I came up with the idea of really small paintings the size of a cell phone. Paintings which fit into your hand perfectly. During the summer we played with various sizes to find the best one. I wanted to do a small collection of my significant paintings I did in bigger sizes. I did 7 different images, one for every day of the week and each has a limited edition of 50 pieces. I called them pocket painting because I find it fun. Of course it is not meant to really wear it in your pocket, but just the fact it is possible gives a different perspective to the piece. All of them are hand painted. And they are super cute. Very interesting is that these small pieces look good even on a big wall.

What advice do you have for artists just starting out?

Don't let your doubts block your creativity and have fun.

Jan Kaláb’s Latest Paintings Will Actually fit in your Pocket