The artist presents the medium of photography and hand-painted photography as a means of engaging philosophical disquisitions on culture, humankind, and wildlife inspired by his diverse experience and extensive traveling across various continents. This selection of Elias’ work reflects the artist’s wishes to maintain the originality of the natural world as well as the indigenous and ancient cultures left in the world.
He is able to focus on the simplicity and purity of the lives of indigenous peoples who are connected to the environment and depend upon its natural resources for survival. The relationships and connections Arno is able to realize in photographing people, wildlife 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 and the natural world.
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After the photographs are selected and are printed on archival pigment paper, Elias then embellishes each piece separately using painting to enhance the original image and elevate the experience for the viewer. He applies his own language seen in different codes layered upon the piece with a spectrum of color. Every piece of the same series becomes its own special unique mixed-media photographic painting.