For exhibition, acquisition, licensing, and tearsheet inquiries: dani@danimiranda.co
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Para consultas de exposición, adquisición, licencias y tearsheets: dani@danimiranda.co
Antüpewma Rülkelme Mella is a Chilean-American fine-art photographer, ceremonialist, and storyteller of Mapuche descent. Her practice moves between documentary photography, oral history, and ceremony as inseparable tools for cultural preservation and environmental protection.
Her long-term project Whispers of the Amazon: The Last Voices of the Sapara Nation documents the cosmology, ancestral wisdom, and climate resistance of the Sapara people of the Ecuadorian Amazon, in close collaboration with spiritual leader Manari Ushigua and the Naku Foundation. The work is built on a reciprocity model in which 50% of all proceeds flow directly to Sapara communities, navigated by the community itself. She serves as Director of Narrative & Creativity at the Naku Foundation, supporting Sapara-led efforts to protect over 900,000 acres of primary rainforest.
Her work has been exhibited at the Morris Museum and screened at NYU, Pratt Institute, FIT, Hartwick College, and Montclair University. She is currently developing Semilla, a collaborative book series with author and activist Juliet Diaz documenting indigenous cosmovisions across the Americas.
Español
Antüpewma Rülkelme Mella es fotógrafa de arte, ceremoniante y narradora chilena-americana de descendencia Mapuche. Su práctica une la fotografía documental, la historia oral y la ceremonia como herramientas inseparables para la preservación cultural y la protección ambiental.
Su proyecto de largo aliento Whispers of the Amazon: The Last Voices of the Sapara Nation documenta la cosmología, la sabiduría ancestral y la resistencia climática del pueblo Sapara de la Amazonía ecuatoriana, en colaboración cercana con el líder espiritual Manari Ushigua y la Fundación Naku. El trabajo está construido sobre un modelo de reciprocidad en el que el 50% de todos los ingresos fluye directamente a las comunidades Sapara, gestionado por la propia comunidad. Sirve como Directora de Narrativa y Creatividad en la Fundación Naku, apoyando los esfuerzos liderados por los Sapara para proteger más de 900,000 acres de selva primaria.
Su obra ha sido expuesta en el Morris Museum y proyectada en NYU, Pratt Institute, FIT, Hartwick College y Montclair University. Actualmente desarrolla Semilla, una serie de libros colaborativa con la autora y activista Juliet Diaz que documenta cosmvisiones indígenas a través de las Américas.
Exhibitions
2026 — Whispers of the Amazon, Pratt Institute, New York
2015 — Real Beauty: Uncovered, Morris Museum, New Jersey
2015 — Real Beauty: Uncovered, Montclair State University, Life Hall, New Jersey
2015 — Real Beauty: Uncovered, The College of New Jersey, Sweigart Auditorium, New Jersey
2012–2016 — Real Beauty: Uncovered, touring exhibition, universities, high schools, and women's centers throughout New Jersey
Film Screenings
2024 — Cacao + Climate Change, NYU, New York
2024 — Cacao + Climate Change, Pratt Institute, New York
2024 — Cacao + Climate Change, FIT, New York
2024 — Cacao + Climate Change, Hartwick College, New York
2024 — Cacao + Climate Change, Montclair University, New Jersey
Lectures
2026 — "Whispers of the Amazon: Creativity, Ancestral Economies & Social Entrepreneurship," Pratt Institute, New York
2026 — Guest Lecture, FIT, New York
2026 — Guest Lecture, Montclair University, New Jersey
2016 — Artists Development Workshop, panelist, Morris Arts, New Jersey
Awards & Recognition
2016 — Real Beauty: Uncovered, White House recognition
2015 — Real Beauty: Uncovered, Healing Award
Press
2015 — News 12 New Jersey, Push Pause Edition
2015 — TAPinto Paterson
Publications
2026 — Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art Magazine — Featured Artist Interview