Parris Jaru
American
Artist Bio: Parris Jaru
Parris Jaru, born in New York City, draws inspiration from his rich heritage, which includes Jamaican, Blackfoot Nation, and Arawak Nation roots. The vivid colors and imagery of his childhood in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, deeply inform his artistic vision. Jaru’s exploratory journeys in India introduced him to natural plant-based pigments, which he grinds with oils to create unique textures and hues in his paintings.
In his Brooklyn studio, Jaru weaves together these diverse cultural influences, developing a distinct style characterized by a childlike, faux-naïve approach that navigates between figurative and abstract forms. While some of his works are somber and devoid of figures, many feature playful, surrealistic characters rendered in bright colors. Jaru often employs a continuous line to draw his figures, creating dynamic compositions using thick impasto made from powders like sea algae, hibiscus, Gymnema Sylvestre, and turmeric.
Growing up in New York City, Parris was immersed in a melting pot of cultural identities, fueled by the vibrant art, music, and lifestyle of the 1980s. This environment nurtured his creativity and laid the foundation for his artistic journey.
In his late teens, Jaru began his career at Marvel Comics as a photo tech, where he honed his skills in character drawing and comic storytelling. This experience connected him with pioneering figures in comic art, further enriching his artistic perspective.
In the late 1990s, Jaru founded a handmade jewelry line, “Blufork’s NYC,” catering to notable clients like Barney’s Co-op, Anna Sui, and Patricia Fields. He reflects, “Creating handmade jewelry from wood, semi-precious stones, copper, and silver, colored with metallic paints and pigments, truly brings me back to my earliest understanding of art made from natural materials.”
Simultaneously, Jaru began selling his paintings on the streets of Soho and the East Village, forming bonds with fellow artists and musicians in the underground scene. This grassroots approach allowed him to establish his presence in the art world and cultivate a distinct artistic identity.
Parris Jaru, born in New York City, draws inspiration from his rich heritage, which includes Jamaican, Blackfoot Nation, and Arawak Nation roots. The vivid colors and imagery of his childhood in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, deeply inform his artistic vision. Jaru’s exploratory journeys in India introduced him to natural plant-based pigments, which he grinds with oils to create unique textures and hues in his paintings.
In his Brooklyn studio, Jaru weaves together these diverse cultural influences, developing a distinct style characterized by a childlike, faux-naïve approach that navigates between figurative and abstract forms. While some of his works are somber and devoid of figures, many feature playful, surrealistic characters rendered in bright colors. Jaru often employs a continuous line to draw his figures, creating dynamic compositions using thick impasto made from powders like sea algae, hibiscus, Gymnema Sylvestre, and turmeric.
Growing up in New York City, Parris was immersed in a melting pot of cultural identities, fueled by the vibrant art, music, and lifestyle of the 1980s. This environment nurtured his creativity and laid the foundation for his artistic journey.
In his late teens, Jaru began his career at Marvel Comics as a photo tech, where he honed his skills in character drawing and comic storytelling. This experience connected him with pioneering figures in comic art, further enriching his artistic perspective.
In the late 1990s, Jaru founded a handmade jewelry line, “Blufork’s NYC,” catering to notable clients like Barney’s Co-op, Anna Sui, and Patricia Fields. He reflects, “Creating handmade jewelry from wood, semi-precious stones, copper, and silver, colored with metallic paints and pigments, truly brings me back to my earliest understanding of art made from natural materials.”
Simultaneously, Jaru began selling his paintings on the streets of Soho and the East Village, forming bonds with fellow artists and musicians in the underground scene. This grassroots approach allowed him to establish his presence in the art world and cultivate a distinct artistic identity.
