| Calligraphic works—inspired by anonymous art in public spaces

José Parlá (*1973 in Miami) is an artist who assumes different roles in order to create his work: he acts as a historical transcriber and a visual raconteur. As a transcriber, he records his experiences in calligraphic and palimpsestic code. Serving as a collection of textually chronicled memories, the markings appear on backdrops that resemble the distressed surfaces he encounters—the cosmetic results of passed time—city walls marred by layers of paint, old posters, and years of neglect.

Parlá’s paintings are inspired by the environments of cities he has traveled to, which include Havana, London, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and New York City, where he is now based. His mixed media works sometimes employ fresco techniques and include acrylic, oil paints, plaster, posters used as collage, homemade inks, and enamel spray paint.

Exhibition schedule: Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery, New York, March 3–April 16, 2011