a sunset coloured orange and red background with white calligraphic lines scrawled on top

José Parlá

Seeing in Phosphene

€550

Framing

Edition of 380

Sold out

Love this work?

Subscribe to get notified about any cancellations and early access on next releases.

For a time-limited print edition, José Parlá spins memories of a life in art into abstract calligraphy.

Seeing in Phosphene sees Parlá draw on ocular phenomena as a source of inspiration. Caused by light, sound or pressure, ‘phosphene’ describes illusory colours and shapes that come from inside the eye. Rubbing closed eyes and seeing stars are common examples. By looking at the sun through the skylight of his Brooklyn studio and blinking, Parlá finds forms – spots, lines, riding colours – for his energetic paintings. In turn, these forms summon moments – the city, my family and friends, places I’ve been – from his storied past.

Available for 24 hours only, the edition of signed, varnish-sealed prints faithfully recreate an original painting. Set against a vibrant gradient of red, orange and yellow, densely-layered strokes become illegible and evade specificity. Instead, Parlá encourages his viewer to read the surface for themselves – to find their own meaning, and draw their own conclusions.

Free shipping is included on all orders. For more on sensory inspirations, read the accompanying journal.

Go deeper

01:00

Behind the scenes

Jose Parla standing in front of a colourful abstract painting

José Parlá

5 collaborations

José Parlá doesn’t paint, he dances. “My type of meditation is listening to music. I move to it, and eventually it translates into the movement that happens in the painting”. In the studio, he leaps, jumps and climbs across the canvas with his brush. The results are magnificently abstract and burst with kinetic energy. Parlá's passion for music and dance harks back to his childhood. When he was growing up in 1980s-Miami, music was a unifying force. Hip-hop, in particular, brought communities together to dance and hang out – and Parlá aims to do the same with his art.

Who else should know about this work?

Help us spread the word

Reviews from Avant collectors

Avant arte staffs are lovely. They always kindly help when I have problem or question.
Review of City Fountain
Great experience all around, thank you! I love what you do and the fact that it allows me to own artist works whose originals I wouldn't be able to afford.
Review of Paysage d’Intérieur (printemps)
It's awesome! The artwork quality is superb! I really really loved everything you did - the gloves, the totem bag, the letter... amazing! Thanks so much!
Review of Guardian
Love, love, love this piece of amazing work...from the craftmanship, brilliance of the colors, to the title it is fire! My new fave...among many other favorites! The treatment my framer gave it is delicious and aww inspiring...thanks Avant Arte!
Review of In Search For Light
communication from start to finish has been very informative, quick and helpful. I am happy with the professional way in which the piece has been packaged and shipped, protected to a high degree. Thank you to everyone involved.
Review of Something Forbidden (Blue)
were happy to have the print and are grateful for the professional correspondence. we look fwd to purchasing prints in the future.
Review of Prismatic Head Composition
Excellent framing
Review of La Nascita
Great piece, arrived in excellent condition, thanks!
Review of Ringers #962: The LACMA Iterations

Discover more print editions on Avant Arte

See all

Available

Shigeki MatsuyamaPortrait of dazzle #150-P€800

Few left

Nicasio FernandezD.I.Y (Hand-finished)€4,000

Draw

Maurizio CattelanTHERAPY€800

Closing on 05 May

Draw

Paul InsectPrismatic Visions€2,000

Closing in 00d 00h 00m