NFN KALYAN

American, b. 1982

“My work draws from the information chaos we live in. I intuitively sample and filter that chaos, juxtaposing components and their inherent meanings and baggage to form a portrait of us as a species. The work is designed to request introspection of the viewer.”

NFN Kalyan is a multidisciplinary conceptual artist known for his thought-provoking works that explore themes of social justice, politics, religion, and the human condition. Born in upstate New York to a mathematician father from India and a philosopher mother, Kalyan’s upbringing spanned both Wisconsin and periods in India, shaping his diverse cultural perspective. His artistic journey took a decisive turn at the age of 27 when he left a stable career in jewelry design to pursue art full-time, despite having a young family to support. This bold decision marked the beginning of a career defined by courage, authenticity, and deep introspection.

He has had many group and solo shows, most recently in L.A. with Band of Vices and iv gallery. Since 2020 Kalyan has had 10 NFT drops with six coming on Nifty Gateway and three on Makers Place.

Artist Statement:

We live in an era of overwhelming information chaos. My work is a response to this—an intuitive process of sampling, filtering, and remixing symbols, histories, and meanings to create a portrait of our species. I do not place myself outside humanity, passing judgment from a distance. We are all part of this collective story, and any critique must first be directed inward—at ourselves.

A recurring theme in my work is how we judge the past. We condemn historical figures for their actions—wars, inventions, and neglect—without recognizing how future generations will judge us. They will look at our phones built on exploited labor, our reckless waste, and our consumption-driven lives with the same disdain. But history moves like a tidal wave, pushing us forward in ways that feel inevitable. Rather than externalizing blame—saying pollution is Exxon’s problem, not ours—we must acknowledge our role in shaping the present and future.

At the same time, I recognize the limits of individual action. Living “off the grid” may be a personal stance, but it does not appear to alter the larger trajectory of humanity—just as a single ant leaving the colony does not change the hive. But we are just single ants. Perhaps change happens when individuals take responsibility within themselves and then take action in the world. Even if this is an idealistic notion, a 1% chance of world transformation is still worth striving for.

By its nature my work advances with intention within the metamodern epoch.

It reflects everything. It reflects the viewer with the request that they focus inward.

Critically. With love. With honesty. Then live.