Pieter ‘Parra’ Janssen
Dutch artist Parra (1976) is best known for his surreal bird-like characters and distinctive use of saturated colours. His early work explored vibrant hand-drawn letters and humor, in recent years, his work has evolved into gorgeously layered abstract interpretations of his core figures.
Celebrated by galleries and championed by a devout underground following, Parra has become a respected and multimedia artist, through solo exhibitions spanning Asia, the United States, and Europe. Working across large scale public sculpture, painting, drawing and textile work, Parra creates an enigmatic and instantly recognisable style that defies easy categorisation.
In 2012, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art commissioned Parra to create a 60-foot mural. Titled Weirded Out, he was inspired by the reclusive singer Kate Bush. The artwork now belongs to the museum's permanent collection.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2020
I’M JUST HAPPY WE GOT A CAT
2019
i seriously doubt it, Over The Influence, Hong Kong
2018
VOLTA , Joshua Liner Gallery, New York, NY
2016
No Work Today, Joshua Liner Gallery, New York
I Can't Look at Your Face Anymore, Ruttkowski;68 Gallery, Cologne
2015
Yer So Bad, Jonathan Levine Gallery, New York
Parra (a 10 year survey, The story so far), Kunsthal, Rotterdam
Salut, Alice Gallery, Brussels
2014
Same Old Song, HVW8 Gallery, Los Angeles
2013
And Wait for Something to Happen, Ruttkowski;68 Gallery, Cologne
Il Senso di Colpa, Galleria Patricia Armocida, Milan
Tracy Had a Hard Sunday, Jonathan Levine Gallery, New York
2012
Kind Regrets, HVW8 Gallery, Los Angeles
Weirded Out, 60 feet indoor mural for the SFMOMA, San Francisco
2011
The How Original Show, HVW8 Gallery, Los Angeles
2010
The Amsterdam Show, Common Gallery, Tokyo
Yes Yes Yes, Project Space, Los Angeles
2009
I Like the Tee Shirt but I Will Get the Painting, Pool Gallery, Berlin
The Disco of Italo, Patricia Armocida Gallery, Milan
Is That a Gun My Friend?, HVW8 Gallery, Los Angeles
2008
Boo to the Hoo, Lazy Dog Gallery, Paris
2007
Parrived, Arrive, Miami
LaLaLa, HVW8 Gallery, Los Angeles
The Of Best, Vallery Galley, Barcelona
Random Tits, Reed Space, New York
2006
Tits and Typo, Kemistry Gallery, London
The Art of Parra, Toykyo, Ghent
I really like it but could you change the colors & the design?, Lazy Dog Gallery, Paris