by Charles Bogle- LEFTVOICE Art Critic

Luis Parra (1938 to the present) is recognized as an international artist who is making a significant contribution to the twenty first century art.

Luis Parra was born in Ramiriqui, a small town in Colombia, South America; he is the second child of nine children of Bernarda Parra. His father Miguel Angel was a lawyer, and died when Luis was just two years old.

At the age of 25, Parra became a catholic priest, and worked as a priest for two years. In 1966 Parra received a scholarship that allowed him to move to the United States. In 1968 Parra made a painful decision, of leaving the priesthood. After four years he received a bachelor's degree in art and advertising from the California institute of the Arts. He studied drawing with Donald Graham, graphic design with Fred Moore, painting with Jarvaise, and cinema graphics with T. Hee.

Parra's art image deals almost exclusively with the human body, its emotions, recollections, hardships, love, disillusions, and hope in a unique way. His art image does reflect the structural turmoil of his own life long journey. Parra's dream has always been to create a new image that will reflect the seemingly chaotic experience of our times. He feels that unless there is complete freedom of expression art has little to contribute to people's dreams.

Many art patrons see a modern day Dali in Parra's work while advocates call Parra's work more sweeping, more sexual and less secular than that past master.

Collectors, Galleries and Exhibitions-Parra's stunning work can be acquired by contacting Andre Parra at 786-925-8880.