José Parlá
Painting Moving in Step with the Times
2021
collage, acrylic, enamel, ink, and plaster on canvas
122 × 175 cm
Unique
Location: Clichy, France
Arianee token ID
542383672
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About the artwork
This composition presents a layered surface characterized by a dynamic interplay of colors and textures. The work features a dark blue and green background, over which thick impasto of white and black paint has been applied, creating a distressed, almost peeling effect. Interspersed throughout are irregular shapes of yellow and light blue, suggesting fragments or underlying layers. Over this complex ground, a network of white and yellow calligraphic lines sweeps across the canvas, varying in thickness and intensity, some forming tight loops and others extending in long, fluid gestures. The surface integrates collage and plaster, contributing to the physical depth and texture of the work. Acrylic and enamel build chromatic complexity, while ink traces the calligraphic marks that are a consistent element in Parlá's practice. The overall effect is one of an urban landscape, reflecting the movement and textures of neighborhoods and the traces people leave behind. The application of paint and other materials creates a sense of accumulated history and transient moments.
Expert opinion
José Parlá's work is situated within contemporary art, drawing from traditions of abstract expressionism and street art. His methodology, which involves layering, subtraction, and erasure, creates a visual dialogue with urban environments and historical narratives. The artist's engagement with calligraphy and graffiti, combined with his formal training, positions him as a bridge between these artistic domains. His large-scale public commissions have garnered international recognition, contributing to his market presence. The market for Parlá's works has shown consistent activity, with significant paintings achieving results in the mid to high five figures at auction. His pieces are collected by institutions and private individuals across various continents.
About the artist
José Parlá (born 1973 in Miami, Florida) is a Cuban-American contemporary artist based in Brooklyn, New York. He began painting on walls in Miami at ten years old, initially signing his work with the nickname "Ease". Parlá received a scholarship to Savannah College of Art & Design at 16 and later studied at Miami Dade Community College and New World School of the Arts. Before establishing his art career, he supported himself by designing album covers and concert fliers for hip-hop artists. Parlá's artistic practice is rooted in a style that merges street language with abstraction and urban realism. His work explores themes of memory, identity, migration, and the passage of time through the visual language of accumulated urban surfaces. He is known for large-scale permanent installations, including "Diary of Brooklyn" (2013) at the Barclays Center and "ONE: Union of the Senses" (2015) in the lobby of One World Trade Center. His work is characterized by palimpsest-like compositions, incorporating layers of paint, collage, plaster, enamel, and ink to create textured surfaces that resemble city walls.
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