The Lost Series: Arno Elias
BLANK SPACE is proud to present "Lost Series," highlighting selections from the works of Arno Elias, a multi-talented, Paris-born photographer based in New York City. The exhibition will open on Thursday, September 3, 2015 with the artist's reception during 6 - 8 PM, and continue to be on view until Friday, October 23rd.
The artist presents the medium of hand-painted photography as a means of engaging philosophical disquisitions on culture, history, and humankind inspired by his diverse experience and extensive travelling across various continents. This selection of Elias' work reflects the artist's wishes to maintain the cultural originality and indigenous values that are or to be "lost" in the wake of globalization and industrialization.
From the faces of the Mursi tribe of Ethiopia to endangered animals in Kenya's savannah, Elias' subjects captured spontaneous and serendipitous are portrayed in full-length or three-quarter views, evoking a delicate artificiality. From the faces of the Mursi tribe of Ethiopia to endangered animals in Kenya's savannah, Elias' subjects captured spontaneous and serendipitous are portrayed in full-length or three-quarter views, evoking a delicate artificiality. His images with fine detail and rich tonality resonate with a sense of nostalgia and compelling emotion. Incorporating the act of hand painting to build a sense of connection to his subjects, the artist creates multiple layers of narratives, rigorously investigating the most fundamental and intrinsic aspect of human experience, nature and culture.
Arno Elias' (b. 1977) work has been exhibited widely in New York, San Francisco, Paris, and Dubai. His work has 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. Elias has also 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. He currently lives and works in New York City.
