Parra’s 2012 collaboration with Stüssy Japan has just been released. As a guest designer, Parra has created a collection of four t-shirts that are available in multiple colourways. The all-new designs feature Parra’s trademark palette and renowned type work, and serve as an exciting prelude to what could be Parra’s biggest year to date, with a major museum show, public art projects and to more collaborations look forward to. Click here to see the other three t-shirts in the collection.

Parra was in Tokyo earlier this month for the launch of his special edition Casio G-Shock watch. The launch, which was held at the Beams-T store in Harajuku, featured original murals and a selection of Parra’s Rockwell clothing line. The watch itself is in a baby blue, pink, orange and red colourway and has a cool Parra surprise as the backlight.

Currently running at HVW8 Gallery in Los Angeles is a new solo show by Parra. For the exhibition, Parra decamped from Amsterdam to LA to create an new body of original work, including his first watercolour pieces, a collaboration with Nicole Pedder. Completely sold out on the opening night, the exhibition is Parra’s only solo show in 2011 as he prepares for a major museum show to open in early 2012. The exhibition runs until 6th November. If you can’t make it, check out Chris Stamp’s video above.

Parra has teamed up with Mr. Boonstra to co-direct the lastest video for electronic act Rimer London. The promo, for the single Put Your Gun Away, sees Parra’s take on traditional carnival cutouts. Look out for the Cousin It mask near the end, too.

Following on from 2010’s The Not So Happy Bird, Parra has released a new sculptural work. Take a Rest is available in an edition of 70 in three different colourways (25 red, 25 blue and 20 black) and come presented in a screenprinted box. The porcelain sculptures are manufactured by Belgian studio Toykyo. For some more images click here.

Big Active has just been awarded a Gold Prize at the European Design Awards for our art direction and design work on Mark Ronson’s ‘Record Collection’ album. The awards were announced by Ugne Skonsmanaite at a ceremony held in Vilnius on Saturday. The work was described by this year’s jury as “the perfect way to reference the musician’s influences and the collecting habits of the customer”. This trophy marks the latest in a run of nominations for the project at this years design awards – it was also short listed as a finalist at the Design Week Awards in March, and is currently featured in the 2011 Creative Review Annual. The 2011 European Design Awards book will be published next month.

Parra was commissioned to create the cover for Time Out Amsterdam’s May Art Issue. Taking the theme of ‘art hopping’ to coincide with the Amsterdam Art Fair as well as features on the city’s contemporary art spaces, Parra has created a suitably bouncy cover. The issue also features an interview where Parra discusses his home city, hungover inspiration and ladies with beaks.

Parra has created a new line of products for his clothing label Rockwell, including t-shirts, hoodies and a pair of handmade bamboo sunglasses in collaboration with Parisian eyewear label Waiting For The Sun.

See more images here.

Parra has been selected by Complex Magazine as one of their top 25 artists of 2010. Alongside artists like Ryan McGinley, ROA and JR, Complex commended Parra’s exhibition at Arkitip’s Project Space in L.A. The article also puts forward his Nike x Parra x Patta Air Max 1 trainer as the best artist collaboration footwear of the year, a belief also held by Sneaker News who described the collaboration as one of the most ravenously sought-after releases in recent memory.

Photograph © Damon Way