In Track & Trace, Kaspar Dejong delves into the layers of the urban environment and the traces left by time, interaction, and transience. Moving daily through public spaces, Dejong not only finds inspiration in the urban debris but also uncovers the foundations of his work. His practice reflects on the dynamic relationship between humans and the city, a landscape that constantly changes due to interventions, wear and spontaneous transformations.

For this exhibition, Dejong combines expressive oil paintings on wooden panels and canvas with a monumental installation of cast concrete pillars. The seven pillars, each deliberately treated with scratches, smudges, and color fields, reflect the ongoing transformation of the city. Although varying in size, the pillars are designed to form a harmonious unity. Their surface suggests a history of touches and interventions—as if the structures themselves have traveled through the city, carrying the marks and esthetics of their interactions with the environment.

The color palettes range from subtle grays and earthy tones to unexpected, bright color accents that emerge as disruptions in the concrete. The sculptural installation serves as an abstract archive of urban markings and influences. The uneven dimensions of the pillars highlight the uniqueness of each urban experience: no interaction is the same, no impression remains unchanged. Through the rough finish and the temporary nature of his interventions, Dejong reflects on the transience of the city—on how time, use, and weathering continuously reshape the structures around us.With Track & Trace, Dejong invites the viewer to reflect on the tangible and psychological impact of the urban environment. How do we leave our marks behind? And how does the city affect us in return? In this interplay of paint, concrete, and movement, a layered dialogue about time, transformation, and the inevitable legacy of human presence unfolds.

Kaspar Dejong is an artist who focuses on urban landscapes and the traces humans leave behind in public spaces. By incorporating found objects and natural materials, Dejong invites viewers to reappreciate everyday city life. His work captures the impermanence and unconscious patterns we create, prompting reflection on how we, as individuals and as a collective, relate to our ever-changing urban surroundings. In addition to his explorations in urban life, Dejong draws inspiration from his travels. He also recently completed a residency in Lisbon and showcased his work at Art Antwerp.

Artists: Kaspar Dejong