Join us for a screening of “Marking the Way Home,” a short documentary offering a deeper look into José Parlá’s Homecoming exhibition at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). This film explores Parlá’s early years, his profound struggle with COVID-19, and his deeply personal return to Miami through his first major hometown exhibition at PAMM. The film will be followed by a Q&A with the artist, PAMM Associate Curator Maritza Lacayo, and filmmaker Lazaro Llanes.
The short documentary includes exclusive interviews with prominent figures in the art world including artists KAWS, Hank Willis Thomas, and Lee Quiñones; Anne Pasternak, director of the Brooklyn Museum; and Sarah Arison, president of the Arison Arts Foundation, among others. They reflect on Parlá’s impact, resilience, and artistic legacy. Their insights, alongside Parlá’s own reflections, weave together a powerful story about art, survival, and the meaning of home.
About José Parlá: Homecoming
Born in Miami to Cuban parents and raised between mainland United States and Puerto Rico, José Parlá (b. 1973) draws inspiration from the rich cultural influences of the Caribbean and Latin America. His work integrates elements of Cuban music, hip hop, reggae, calligraphy, dance, and urban architecture. Known for his hybrid abstraction and dynamic mark-making process, Parlá’s art challenges conventional visual culture through movement, layering, and erasure.
The artist’s first hometown show, José Parlá: Homecoming, features a new series of works and a live site-specific mural, transforming the gallery into Parlá’s studio and honoring his deep connection to personal history and creative expression.
