CONTEMPORARY PALIMPSEST

Grass Roots by Jose Parla

Jose Parla refers to his work as "a contemporary palimpsest". Looking into the detail photograph below you can see the layer upon layer of flowing calligraphy like markings.... contemporary palimpsest indeed.

Between the earthly and the divine

(Detail) Between the earthly and the divine.

"My work is inspired by the anonymous art found in the streets. The art is often in the form of calligraphy or the actions of torn or stripped posters."

"The inscriptions in my work are used as a form of drawing, and to maintain a record of my observations. In my travels I have encountered a similar dialogue that takes place in most cities. I find compositions on surfaces of deteriorated walls, and remnants of construction markings. In my paintings I create layers and textures representing the age of memories collected through different periods of my life. Evidence is left on walls by fleeting creators both aware of their message, and oblivious to what I may find in their signs. Still, they remain mostly unidentified. When working on my paintings I imagine that different people are making choices to write, paint or destroy the surfaces."

Brothers-back-2-back

"The process in my work is similar to that of the city. The work builds its foundation through memory. In order to create a good painting you must put a lot of history in the piece. With my work the details are within the layers. Each layer tells its own story. I do everything from collage, to using charcoal, oil and acrylic paints, pens, markers, aerosol, etc. I try to step away from myself and imagine the perspective of other people, the look and feel of other environments rather than just my own." - from an interesting interview on Fecal Face Dot Com

I love this photograph of the artist in his studio. See Jose's website here .