Has lived and worked between Colombia and Britain for twenty years. Through video, photography, installation and performance he reveals the human condition, from physical and mental states to cultural and social conditioning. Sex, religion, drugs and politics are themes in his work. Often involving marginalised people and cultures, Arias encourages them to reflect on what matters to them. Audiences are then stimulated to confront these cultures and their issues.
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Since winning Colombia's National Art Prize in 1994 Arias' work has been widely exhibited. In 1999 he represented Colombia at the Venice Biennale. Other biennials include: III Bienal de Bogotá, the V and VIII Bienal de La Habana, the II Bienal de Mercosur y la I Bienal de Tirana.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS and presentations include: Eduardo H Fernandes Gallery, Sao Paulo; Videografía Fundación Telefónica Lima; Communion Time Doque Gallery Barcelona; Contemporary Art Gallery Vancouver; Gate Foundation, Amsterdam; Chapter Arts Cardiff; London Printworks Trust and Gallery of Modern Art Glasgow.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS and video festivals include: Oberhausen International Short Film Festival, Germany; Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival, Toronto, Canada; Stretch Power Plant, Toronto; Fluid Wolverhampton Art Gallery UK and Body PoliticX Witte de With, Rotterdam.
AWARDS AND GRANTS include: 13 Salones Regionales, Ministry of Culture Colombia; Four Prince Claus Foundation Awards, Holland; Necessary Journeys Arts Council England, BFI Black World and Tate Modern; One-to-One Bursary, Arts Council England and Live Art Development Agency; Grants for the Arts Arts Council England; Space Studios Award; Individual Artist Award, London Arts; Scottish Arts Council Award and Colcultura Colombia.
WORK IN COLLECTIONS include: Daros Latinamerica, Zurich; Victoria & Albert Museum, London; Museum of Modern Art, Bogotá; Collection of Latin American Art, Essex University; Banco de la Republica, Bogotá and other private collections in Canada, Britain, France, Brazil and Colombia.