After a year of trans-Atlantic artistic collaboration, New York-based Jason Douglas Griffin and Dutch artist Steven Delout will be reunited for a one-week residency at the Capla Kesting Fine Arts Gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The two artists met last year in New York when Delout was visiting from his native Den Haag, Holland. In search of inspiration from his American counterparts, Delout found a kindred spirit when he visited Griffin’s Bedford-Stuyvesant studio. An explosion of creative energy followed, and by the time Steven returned to Holland, the artists had solidified a cohesive working relationship. Since both artists have roots in major cities, they were uniquely suited to bringing street art’s cooperative style into the studio environment. That same urban art mentality would also inspire them to scour the streets of Brooklyn for discarded doors, enabling them to eschew the conventional canvas in favor of a painting surface that meshed with their distinct style. With Delout back in Europe, the two artists continued their unique collaboration via the postal service. For the past year, they’ve been sending drawings back and forth across the Atlantic, and now, they have the opportunity to work together for a full week in the Capla Kesting gallery.

Their work is reminiscent of a powerful conversation, alternating between tongue-in-cheek commentary, serious social thought, and poignant comedy. Ultimately, their technical skill and gritty aesthetic combine with their unique perspective to produce work that is both beautiful and thought provoking.The Williamsburg show will be an installation featuring previous collaborative work, along with new work created in residency.

Founded in October of 2003 by artists David Kesting and Lincoln Capla, Capla Kesting Fine Art has become synonymous with the exposure of underground artists. Created primarily as a venue to expose their work, and that of their talented group of friends CKFA has developed a reputation for their off the beaten path approach to advancing the public’s knowledge of premier talents that demand our attention.

“We’re not here making a statement. We’re just showing art we think deserves to be shown. The goal and whole idea of the place is to help bring artists that we respect and enjoy to the attention of the public.” - Capla Kesting Fine Art