Background and Recognition
José Parra, born in Guadalajara in 1975, comes from a family deeply rooted in painting. His father and grandfather were part of the Mexican baroque costumbrista tradition. At 16, he joined his father’s workshop and later studied Fine Arts at the University of Guadalajara. He furthered his education at the Art Student’s League in New York and was mentored by painter Carlos Vargas Pons. His work has been featured in publications from Mexico, the United States, and Europe, exhibited across Mexico and abroad in cities like New York, Asheville, San Miguel de Allende, Montreal, and various European capitals.
- His art has been included in publications from Mexico, the United States, and Europe.
- Exhibited in cities such as New York, Asheville, San Miguel de Allende, Montreal, and various European capitals.
- Organized and participated in art gatherings like the “Lotería Mexicana, Encuentro Internacional de Arte Figurativo” and “El Juguete,” presented in museums and galleries across Mexico.
- His work is part of collections including the Fundación Black Coffee, Grupo Milenio, the Museo del Centenario in Monterrey, the Palacio de Gobierno de Jalisco, the Colección Riley of Arizona, and even the collection of King Felipe VI of Spain.
Parra’s style draws from baroque elements, with its drama and theatricality, while also incorporating magical realism through influences like Remedios Varo, Leonora Carrington, Anne Bachelier, and the visual philosophy of Frederick Hart.
José Parra.
Chronicles of the Drift: An Emblematic Exhibition
In “Chronicles of the Drift,” presented at Galería Manifesto from July 22 to August 22, 2025, José Parra reaffirmed his compositional mastery and the ability to transform personal experiences into universal allegories. His voluptuous, theatrical, and meditative paintings unfolded as a visual calendar where each canvas was a chapter and every character reflected the human condition. The audience found themselves lost in their own time while simultaneously experiencing the present moment.
Katerine Bergengruen, Manifesto’s director, explained this concept with a quote from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”: “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” She also emphasized that embracing the unexpected is not a surrender but a leap of faith supported by intuition and discipline. This very embrace is the core of Parra’s work: surrendering to find oneself in painting while continuously building a personal path.
A Legacy in Progress
Today, José Parra holds a unique position in contemporary Mexican art. He is a creator who intertwines baroque elements, intimacy, and narrative into a distinct visual language. His work not only captivates with its sensory appeal but also challenges viewers, inviting self-recognition and affirming uncertainty as a generative space. In his paintings, losing one’s way is not a loss but finding the rhythm of human existence.
Currently, his work is part of the collective exhibition “El Arte del Vino,” displayed at the Museo de la Ciudad de México.
Follow his work on Instagram at @estudiojoseparra.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is José Parra? José Parra is a Mexican painter born in Guadalajara in 1975, coming from a family with a strong painting tradition. He studied Fine Arts and was mentored by Carlos Vargas Pons.
- What is his artistic style? Parra’s work combines baroque elements with magical realism, drawing inspiration from artists like Remedios Varo and Leonora Carrington.
- What is “Chronicles of the Drift”? An exhibition where Parra transformed personal experiences into universal allegories, showcasing his mastery of composition and visual storytelling.
- What is his current position in Mexican art? José Parra holds a unique place in contemporary Mexican art, blending baroque elements, intimacy, and narrative into a distinct visual language.
- Where can you see his work now? His work is part of the collective exhibition “El Arte del Vino” at the Museo de la Ciudad de México.
