For exhibition, acquisition, licensing, and tearsheet inquiries: dani@danimiranda.co
Español
Para consultas de exposición, adquisición, licencias y tearsheets: dani@danimiranda.co
Antüpewma Rülkelme Mella is a Chilean-American fine-art photographer and visual storyteller of Mapuche descent. Her practice moves between documentary photography, oral history, sound, and material intervention to consider cultural continuance, land, and environmental protection.
Her ongoing project, Whispers of the Amazon: Language at the Threshold, follows Sapara-led efforts to carry an endangered language forward in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Developed through ongoing conversation with Sapara leader Manari Ushigua, the Naku Foundation, and Sapara community members, the work considers what language holds: ecological knowledge, kinship, memory, and ways of understanding the forest.
Through photography, recorded sound, and developing textile-based works, Mella is building a long-form project about language transmission, the fragility of what is carried between generations, and the uncertain work of revitalization.
Daniela serves as Director of Narrative & Creativity at the Naku Foundation, supporting Sapara-led efforts to protect more than 900,000 acres of primary rainforest. Her reciprocity model directs 50% of proceeds from this body of work to Sapara communities, guided by community priorities.
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 Sembrar, a collaborative book series with author and activist Juliet Diaz.
Español
Antüpewma Rülkelme Mella es fotógrafa de arte y narradora visual chileno-estadounidense de ascendencia Mapuche. Su práctica une fotografía documental, historia oral, sonido e intervención material para explorar la continuidad cultural, el territorio y la protección ambiental.
Su proyecto en desarrollo, Whispers of the Amazon: Language at the Threshold, sigue los esfuerzos liderados por el pueblo Sapara para llevar adelante una lengua en peligro en la Amazonía ecuatoriana. Desarrollado a través de conversaciones continuas con el líder Sapara Manari Ushigua, la Fundación Naku y miembros de comunidades Sapara, el trabajo considera lo que una lengua sostiene: conocimiento ecológico, parentesco, memoria y formas de comprender el bosque.
A través de fotografía, sonido registrado y obras textiles en desarrollo, Mella construye un proyecto de largo aliento sobre la transmisión lingüística, la fragilidad de lo que pasa entre generaciones y el trabajo incierto de la revitalización.
Daniela se desempeña 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 modelo de reciprocidad dirige el 50% de los ingresos de este cuerpo de obra a comunidades Sapara, guiado por prioridades comunitarias.
Su obra ha sido exhibida en el Morris Museum y proyectada en NYU, Pratt Institute, FIT, Hartwick College y Montclair University. Actualmente desarrolla Semebrar, una serie de libros colaborativa con la autora y activista Juliet Diaz, que documenta cosmovisiones 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