Arno Elias
Born in Paris France, Arno Elias is a French American multi-talented Artist, Painter, Photographer, Musician and Activist.
For the past 30 years, Arno's driving passion has been to explore innovative ways to create with diverse media, The non-careerist approach he adopts has substantially enriched his creativity and contributed to a profound sense of artistic freedom.
Work
The artist utilizes photography and hand-painted photography to explore philosophical discussions about culture, humanity, and wildlife. Since 2007, Arno Elias has exhibited his work internationally and has participated in numerous prestigious art fairs and galleries across North America, Europe, and Asia.
In 2022, Elias chose to pause his art career to focus on creating a film/documentary that spans 26 different countries.
Before transitioning to a successful visual artist, Arno Elias made an indelible mark in the music industry by composing and producing over 100 songs and numerous albums. His final album, Buddha Bar Nature, released in 2004, continues to resonate with audiences today, showcasing his lasting influence as his music is celebrated and played around the globe.
He has produced and composed notable songs such as "Amor Amor" and "Corazon." Additionally, he composed the musical score for a United Nations campaign for UNICEF titled "For Every Child," collaborating with recording artist Shakira. Elias was also selected by Brigitte Bardot to create music for the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which aims to protect animals from abuse.
Early life
As the son of a professional musician, Arno began attending music school at a young age. He started playing the guitar, drums, and piano at 12, and quickly honed his skills as a songwriter. At 18, Arno enter the fashion industry as a model in Paris, becoming the face of a worldwide campaign for fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier. Working with renowned photographers like Mario Testino greatly influenced his artistic direction and fueled his passion for photography.
Activism
I'M NOT A TROPHY
In 2016, Elias created the worldwide campaign "I'M NOT A TROPHY" dedicated to creating greater awareness of the rapid extinction of endangered species, around the world. For the campaign, Elias created a series of photographs with fashion icon and actress Cara Delevingne and singer Suki Waterhouse. The awareness initiative achieved worldwide recognition, featured in outlets such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire, The Times, El Pais, and Paris Match to name a few.
In September 2019, Elias was invited to speak at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he discussed animal welfare and sustainable development.
In 2018, "I'M NOT A TROPHY" began collaborating with the art publisher YellowKorner to further raise funds and awareness for the cause. This partnership featured a series of unsigned photo poster editions offered at affordable prices, reproducing the original painted photography. YellowKorner boasts a global network of 130 galleries and attracts millions of visitors each year.
The "I'M NOT A TROPHY" initiative has also formed partnerships with various brands, personalities, and wildlife organizations.
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