ARTIST JOSHUA CALEB
Joshua Caleb wants to get one thing straight: Art was always his first love.
As a former linebacker who signed with the Texans several times, he’s well aware that part of his identity is tied to professional football. Playing in the NFL is what brought him down South from his native New York in the first place.
“The art market in New York is kind of old school. On the West Coast it’s oversaturated,” he says. “But Houston has a growing arts market, so it made sense to stay.”
Now that Caleb is a free agent with zero intention of returning to the turf, he’s ready to close that chapter completely — starting with a name change. The player formerly known as Josh Keyes uses Joshua Caleb for the big return to his roots.
Just don’t call it a comeback. Or a second life.
“Growing up in New York, I was around some of the best artists in the world,” he says. “I was always drawn to it, even before sports. I loved the arts so much.”
Early on he was influenced by the work of Keith Haring, Alex Katz and Kaws, aka Brian Donnelly. Caleb honed his craft under illustrator Jacqueline Rogers and was later accepted into the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University.
But art wasn’t yet in the cards. He decided to play football for Boston College instead.
Caleb says that he never set out to be an athlete. It just happened.
“I ended up being pretty good and opportunities kept presenting themselves,” he says. “It just made sense to put those opportunities first.”
Short-lived stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins and eventually the Texans followed. By 2018, he was ready to hang up his cleats and pick up a paint brush.
“I’m most inspired by life. All of my art is observational commentary, the reflection of just a positive outlook,” Caleb explains. “I like to inspire people through raw, bright colors and shapes, and hand-cut elements to bring the conversation forward.”
He says the way to describe his aesthetic is industrial pop art. A mix of heavy mediums, including wood, metal and acrylic, are always balanced with happy neon hues. Pink skulls and crossbones appear with pastel lettering or fluffy white clouds.
His work caught the attention of some major brands. In fall 2019, Lamborghini tapped Caleb to paint a car for them; the one-of-a-kind Huracán EVO Spyder was on display during the Lamborghini Festival’s annual 200-mile Hill Country Bull Run. And just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he painted a limited-edition collection of accessories for Coach.
Last summer, Caleb felt the time was right to host his first solo show. So he used a gallery space in Montrose to self-curate 16 pieces.
“I sold seven of them,” he says proudly. “That show was well received but not nearly what this next show has been.”
Come Feb. 6, Sundry Contemporary will host his sophomore exhibition, “Ascend,” in Rice Village. The good news is that everyone is invited. The better news is that all seven pieces in his second show have already sold.
“I’m very, very fortunate and humbled. Especially during this COVID time,” he says.
Prices for his work range from $2,800 to just under $8,000. And since there’s no longer any pressure to make sales, Caleb’s goals for this weekend have changed.
“I just want to bring light and happiness, because this past year has been crazy,” he says. “These seven pieces are different from things I’ve made in the past and I wasn’t quite sure how they would be received. So I’m excited for people to see it in person and bring a splash back into the Houston art scene.”
Sundry Contemporary hopes on good energy and a nice-size celebration, though organizers plan to follow COVID-19 protocols for safety. Only 10 attendees at a time will be allowed entry. Collector’s Night invitees can also expect an open bar, music and one-on-one time with the artist.
“I’m still in awe that it’s happening and that I’m sold out. That was pretty nuts to announces,” Caleb says. “It feels like there’s value in my collection.”