What’s unique about his work?

This is the first painting and large-scale mural we’ve commissioned. Parlá is an artist whose type of work was not represented in our collections: He comes out of street art, but his painting has very much evolved from that point. He still maintains his roots in this experience, but has translated it into his own personal vocabulary using devices that are very distinctive to him, his hand, and his mark making. It has a kind of calligraphic flourish that’s very fresh and looks beautiful.

In addition, one of the things José does that is distinctive, especially for painters working today, is his ability to visualize and compose on a large scale. That’s different from many painters who work really well on a smaller scale, but when they expand to a much larger canvas the composition doesn’t cohere.

He took a risk to tackle this entire 4,000-square-foot area. But I trusted it would come out well because this is how he thinks as a painter. This is his natural language.

What else makes Parlá such a special artist?

A lot has to do with the aesthetics of his paintings, because of his signature style. But then there are other things that make him interesting, too: his understanding of history, his deep concern with human traces, and his impressions of places.

How do you select artwork for the Landmarks collection?

We approach the collection a little differently from most public art programs. We’re not merely interested in one piece and the story that it tells. We’re also interested in how it relates to the other works in the collection. Our goal is to create a cohesive body of work throughout the campus. Because the collection not only beautifies the campus, it also serves the pedagogical purpose of creating the best conditions for thought and growth.