Figureworks
fine art of the human form

The Art of Rusel Parish

Rusel Parish
Cult of Michael Jackson

Rusel Parish, a Brooklyn-based artist, explores the obsession with Michael Jackson in an installation exhibited at Figureworks in September/October 2009 entitled Cult of Michael Jackson.

michael jackson

This exhibition presented the life of Michael Jackson from childhood to present and had been a focus for Parish over the last three years. Continuing societies endless fascination with MJ, this work does not judge the addiction but tries to understand its complexities. Presented in a chapel-like format, the work brought together pop expressionism with religious iconography and was a study of how media and cultural obsession met in a powerful way, multiplying images and ideas globally.

This exhibition was not created nor altered around Jackson's recent death but had been scheduled earlier that year to coincide with Jackson's fall world tour. With this shocking turn of events, the exhibition presented a range of emotions from celebration to sadness.

michael jackson painting
Rusel Parish, Young Michael, oil/resin/wax on canvas, 20" x 26", $1800.00

Parish’s work covers a variety of media, but the core are mixed media paintings that are built in layers of wax and resin, with broad slashing strokes of paint behind, in-between and below these transparent and semi transparent layers. This gives a haunting 3-d painted and sculptural effect only fitting for the reinventions of Michael Jackson, especially as the series covers the many altered stages of his life.

Also on display in the “vestibule” was an array of altered MJ merchandise, with both his vintage 1984 and 1995 dolls brought back to life. The dolls dubbed Wax MJ and Chocolate MJ come in a variety of colored wax and dark, milk or white chocolate candy. All the various figures are uniquely packaged and presented nude or in his iconic costumes. A full line of Parish inspired candles, stickers, shirts and magnets expose the vast array of merchandising associated with the cult figure.

Press Coverage: New York Post - Time Out NY - Huffington Post - Brooklyn Eagle - Brooklyn Papers - The L Magazine - The Village Voice - NBC New York - New York Blips - Art Cat - Anorak - New York Art Beat - New York Times - Animal New York - Bigger Than Beyonce - Free Williamsburg - Viral Stash - New York Times - Examiner - MSNBC


spike lee
Rusel Parish and Spike Lee

rusel parish michael jackson
MJ Adored, ink/watercolor/gesso on paper, 22" x 30", $600.00

michael jackson art
Rusel Parish,, MJ Bursting with Fireworks, oil, wax, resin, gold, 42" x 54", $12,000.00


Rusel Parish,, MJ Ink & Gold Leaf Series, Ink, Resin & Gold Leaf on board, 8" x 6", $500.00 each

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