ARNO ELIAS
B. 1977
French/American
ABOUT THE ARTIST
In his hand-painted photographs, Elias applies the traditional colors of the African tribes that live side by side with endangered species thereby making them interchangeable with the animals with whom they share their lives. These works simultaneously highlight the beauty of our world, but also its fragility.
Elias’ process for creating his multi-media artworks is quite involved. After developing each photograph, the artist hand-paints a distinct language of codes, designs, and embellishments in red, blue, yellow, green, silver, and gold pigments on top of each photo’s surface. In this way, each piece becomes a unique mixed-media photographic painting.
The relationships and connections Arno is able to realize in photographing people and moments in time, have imbued his spirit with a quest for humanity and awakened his senses to the power and beauty of these diverse cultures. This series illustrates the harmony of the tribes with nature – they go hand in hand – one civilization – the animals are painted with the colors of the tribes that co-habit the environment – making them interchangeable. There is power and majesty to his work which celebrates the beauty of the natural world.
Elias's focus is to travel the world and continue the journey to document and photograph this world that is in danger of being lost. “My impressions following my most recent trip were how precious this wildlife is and how hard it is to protect it due to poaching and many other challenges. Hopefully, my photography can raise consciousness for conservation efforts and promote the need to respect the beautiful species that exist on this planet before it is too late.” – Arno EliasArno Elias’ artwork has been exhibited widely in New York, San Francisco, Paris, Singapore, and Dubai and been featured in numerous art fairs throughout North America including Art Chicago, San Francisco Art Market, Art Miami, Art Southampton, Art Silicon Valley, Art Toronto as well as at the prestigious Art Basel Switzerland. His work can also be found in the Brooklyn Museum.
Elias has worked with fashion icons Jean Paul Gaultier and Mario Testino, with Latin recording artist, Shakira, and composed the score for multiple worldwide campaign videos for UNICEF. In 2016, Elias founded the non-profit organization I’m Not a Trophy with a supermodel, Cara Delevingne. The organization is dedicated to creating greater awareness of the rapid extinction of endangered species around the world. The artist currently lives and works in Miami, Florida.
Public Collections
Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), Brooklyn, NY
Solo Exhibitions
2020 Rainbow Print Collection, Space Gallery St Barth, Online
2019 I'm Not a Trophy, The Sagamore Hotel Miami Beach, Miami, FL
2019 Arno Elias: Lost, Space Gallery St Barth, New York City, NY
2016 Arno Elias: The Lost Series, Space Gallery St Barth, Gustavia, St Barthélemy
2015 Arno Elias: The Lost Series, Blank Space, New York City, NY
2014 Arno Elias: The Lost Series, Space Gallery St Barth, Gustavia, St Barthélemy
2011 Arno Elias: The Lost Series, Decorches Fine Art, Las Vegas, NV
2010 Arno Elias, Avant Gallery, Miami, FL
2010 Arno Elias: Lost, Galerie Protée, Paris, France
2009 Arno Elias, Avant Gallery, Miami, FL
2008 Arno Elias, Avant Gallery, Miami, FL
2003 Arno Elias, The Rothschild Foundation, Paris, France
Group Exhibitions
2019 St Barth in the City, Space Gallery St Barth, New York City, NY
2011 Besharat Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2011 Keszler Gallery, New York, NY
2010 W Hotel, Miami, FL2010Keszler Gallery, New York City, NY
2009 The Sagamore Hotel Miami Bech, Miami, FL
2006 Art Futures Gallery, Miami, FL
Press & Publications
2020 Outings of the week in Paris, Le Figaro Scope, 09 March 2020
2019 Art is everywhere this week in south Florida, CBS.com, 06 December 2019
Sagamore Hotel presents the immersive "I'm Not a Trophy" art exhibit, Culture Owl, December 2019
Arno Elias raises awareness for endangered species at the Sagamore Hotel, Whitewall Magazine, December 2019
Renowned French artist exhibits in Design District, Miamiartzine, 25 April 2019
2018 I'm Not a Trophy by Arno Elias and Cara, Esquire Japan, 08 April 2018
"I'm not a trophy", the photo exhibition of the moment in the service of the animal cause, Vogue France, 09 February 2018
2017 Simba by Arno Elias, AMDmode.com, 14 March 2017
2016 Cara Delevigne poses nude to save animals, Le Figaro Madame, 03 June 2016
Cara Delevigne strips down for animal awareness, V Magazine, 03 June 2016
Cara Delevigne in a new animal protection campaign, Vogue Germany, 03 June 2016
Cara Delevigne poses naked to defend the animal cause, Paris Match, 03 June 2016
Cara Delevigne strips down for the first-ever "I'm Not a Trophy" campaign, InStyle, 03 June 2016
Cara Delevigne fronts anti-poaching campaign, Elle, 02 June 2016
Cara Delevingne fronts anti-poaching campaign, Harpers Bazaar UK, 01 June 2016
Exclusive: Cara Delevigne bares all for the first-ever "I'm Not A Trophy" campaign, Marie Claire, 01 June 2016
Cara Delevigne is the new nude face fighting trophy hunting, Konbini, 06 March 2016
2015 Artist Arno Elias' worldwide solo photographic journey enchants south Florida, The Miami Herald, 17 April 2015
2014 Christmas Arty, Vanity Fair, 12 December 2014
2013 Artist Arno Elias' worldwide solo photographic journey enchants south Florida, WN.com, 11 March 2013