Nelson Guda, PhD
Independent Artist | Studio of Nelson Guda
Austin, Texas Area, UNITED STATES
Artist, TEDx Speaker, Creator
Biography
Nelson Guda is an artist, speaker and creator. Nelson trained in both the fine arts and sciences. He opened an independent art studio after earning a PhD in biology and helping establish an interdisciplinary institute at the University of Texas, Austin. Nelson's works can incorporate photography, video installations, audio, written word and sculptural elements. He studied art in the US and Japan, and after a decade of working in the sciences, he moved back to art full time with a large photography project called ROADLESS that culminated in an exhibit in the US Senate Building in Washington, DC and numerous smaller shows around the country. After a 2010 visiting artist position, Nelson’s video work was highlighted at the Holter Art Museum of Montana.
Nelson frequently works on large projects that combine his personal experience with a quasi-journalistic exploration of important issues in the world. His concept that “life is a canvas for art” reflects his goal of using actions in life as a form of creating art. Nelson’s most recent large project, ENEMIES, is a highly personal look at the way people around the world recover from conflict born tragedy. Nelson lives in Austin, TX, and works internationally and across the US.
Industry Expertise (4)
Think Tanks
Photography
Non-Profit/Charitable
Fine Art
Areas of Expertise (5)
Community Engagement
Climate Change
Motivational Speaking
Conservation Issues
Peace Building
Education (4)
The University of Shimane: Fine and Studio Arts, Traditional Japanese Arts 1990
Kent State University: Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.), Architecture, Fine arts 1990
The University of Texas at Austin: PhD, Ecology & Evolution 2000
Carnegie Mellon University: Fine and Studio Arts, Physics
Links (1)
Languages (2)
- Japanese
- Spanish
Media Appearances (2)
The Enemies Project | Nelson Guda speaking at TEDx San Antonio
TEDx San Antonio online
2013-09-21
Nelson speaking about his Enemies Project at TEDx San Antonio, 2013. Following his philosophy that life actions can be art, Nelson traveled to conflict zones around the world in an attempt to bring people together from the opposite sides of conflicts. In this talk he speaks about what brought him to this project and how it affected his life and art.
Life as a Canvas for Art | Nelson Guda speaking at TEDx Napa Valley
TEDx Napa Valley online
2014-03-30
Nelson Guda speaks about his philosophy of Life as a Canvas for Art. Nelson talks about how life can be viewed as an artwork through the lens of his eclectic and powerful life pursuing his passions. At the end of the talk he gives a short performance of some of his projection artwork.
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
Social