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José Parlá      

Contemporary Abstract Artist of Cuban Heritage; Award-Winning Documentary Director; Innovator Regarding Relationship Between Public Art and Fine Art

José Parlá, a contemporary artist based in Brooklyn, has earned international recognition for his unique style, which is often described as occupying the area between abstraction and calligraphy.

Parlá's distinctive style is characterized by his improvisational layering of materials, with his paintings often resembling distressed city walls. He incorporates elements from city streets, such as old posters, which he then paints over with thick splashes of color and abstract calligraphy. This technique has led to the creation of large-scale, permanent installations of his paintings in various locations, including the Barclays Center and One World Trade Center. Among his notable works are "Nature of Language", "Diary of Brooklyn", and "ONE: Union of the Senses."

Personal story about overcoming severe illness due to COVID-19 and drawing on this experience for creative inspiration.

Having exhibited worldwide and collaborated with artists from various countries, Parlá has left a profound impact on the global art scene. He co-directed a documentary titled "Wrinkles of the City: Havana", which won awards in 2013. He has also had solo shows in prestigious galleries such as the Gana Art Center, Yuka Tsuruno Gallery, Bronx Museum of the Arts, and Mary Boone Gallery. His work is permanently displayed in eminent collections such as The British Museum, The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, POLA Museum of Art, and The Burger Collection. Furthermore, Parlá was honored with the PAN Award from Landmarks at the University of Texas at Austin.

His talent and passion for art won him a scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design when he was just 16. Later, moving to New York to establish himself as an artist, he initially supported himself by designing album covers and T-shirts for hip-hop artists.

Born in Miami, Florida in 1973, Parlá's artistic journey began at the tender age of 10 when he started painting on walls in Miami.

Speech Topics


Health & Overcoming Illness

Human Consciousness

Community Development

Visual Culture

Urban Art, Abstraction, & Music

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