Queens native, Gary Kaleda received a scholarship to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn where he graduated with honors in 1988. After college, Kaleda took a job compositing photographic proofs for a company that manufactured retouching stations. Surrounded by state-of-the-art computers and graphics hardware, he was immediately drawn to the technology. It was here that mixing the science of computers with the art of painting first entered his mind. Although he continued to paint traditionally, Kaleda soon purchased his fist computer and began experimenting.
The mid 90’s witnessed the exponential growth of the Internet, offering Kaleda an alternate world to look at and even interact with. At this time, the relationship between humanity, technology and the Internet became a primary focus in his work, although his digital work and paintings were still two separate elements.
By 1997, Kaleda was working as a pre-press technician for an established New York printing firm. Within five years, he had taught himself PhotoShop®, Illustrator® and Painter®, and expanded his skills into photo retouching and color correction for fashion catalogues. Every new skill became an additional tool for his paintings. His work evolved into mixed media, combining manipulated digital images printed on canvas with spray paint and solvents.
During the next four years, the work shifted from mixed media back to all digital in an entirely new way resulting in a highly refined style that was completely his own. In 2010, Kaleda broke new ground by incorporating QR codes into his work, adding interactivity and multi-dimensionality to his paintings. He continues to live and work in Manhattan.