Statement

I practice photography because it allows me to understand myself, explore the emotions that belong to me, and appreciate my immediate environment. My work doesn't revolve around specific stories; rather, it has a meditative visual expression that speaks in the first person.

Intuitively, spontaneous moments hypnotize me with their color, light, texture, smell, noise, and even temperature –leaving me with abundant leitmotifs that gain meaning when they talk to each other, as if they were notes from a musical staff, eagerly awaiting to be played.

I immerse myself in evocative symbols, crafting a silent sanctuary with simplicity and tranquility. This allows me to explore that tendency of mine, yearning for quiet physical and mental spaces.


Profile

Manuel Elías was born in Lima, Peru. His practice is driven by an eagerness to explore and capture the unique emotions of each moment. Through his meditative gaze, he navigates beyond the surface; revealing the intrigue and hidden ambiguity of poetic depictions in ordinary life. 

After graduating from the University of Lima, where he majored in film-making, cinematography, and advertising; he relocated to New York City to pursue his passion for photography. Currently, he works as a photographer at the United Nations Headquarters, capturing compelling moments and conveying powerful narratives through his images.

email: info [at] meliasphoto [dot] com.

Features

The Curated Fridge ProjectSummer 2023, Culture Lab LIC.  Indoor Photography Exhibition.
LIC, NY - US.
August 2023.

The Curated Fridge ProjectSummer 2023,
Collective Installation.
Somerville, MA - US.
July 2023.

MAAC - Museo Archeologico e di Arte Contemporanea, Collective exhibition.
Brindisi - Italy.
June 2023. 

Associazione Aeneis 200024 Scatti bike,
Collective exhibition.
Bari - Italy.
June 2023.

DocuLabsDocu book #17 (p. 287-290)
Publication.
Espoo - Finland.
March 2023.

Divide Magazine. Issue 5, 
Publication.
London - England.
February 2023.

Bruxelles Art VueStreet Life 2022 (p54-55),
Publication.
Brussels - Belgium.
April 2022.

Photo Place GalleryTraces,
Collective exhibition. Middlebury, VT - US.
February 2022.

The Curated Fridge ProjectAutumn 2021,
Collective Installation. 
Somerville, MA - US.
November 2021.


Using Format