Born in Mexico City. Living in BerlinMember of Sistema Nacional de Creadores de Arte, México.PhD Artistic Research. University of Plymouth.CVHis art practice explores intricate connections between science, technology, and ecology. He inquiries on notions of time and space that are manifested through matter and forces such as astronomical phenomena, light, weather, gravity, rocks, plants, volcanoes, and rivers. He enjoys writing, walking, hiking, and stargazing, which are tools that he utilizes for his art practice.
Emilio’s art practice explores intricate connections between science, technology, and ecology, he has been focusing more and more on climate change and bodies of water—making him a perfect fit for the themes we’re exploring. During his residency, he presented a small exhibition at La Galería. He also led a workshop with the children from the Centro Comunitario, focusing on our emotional and affective relationships with the ocean and other natural elements that surround them—especially from the perspective of the younger generation.Emilio also participated in a multidisciplinary round table as part of Azul Pacífico, where Emilio explored the critical role that art and artists play in the ocean's conservation.
As part of his residency at Hotel El Ganzo, Emilio Chapela collaborated with children from La Playa Centro Comunitario to explore their emotional and personal connections to the ocean and the natural environment that surrounds them. Centering the perspectives of the younger generation, the project invited participants to reflect on how they experience, remember, and relate to the sea as an essential part of their daily lives.Equipped with GoPro cameras, the children became storytellers of their own environment, documenting moments, places, and details they felt were meaningful or worth preserving. Rather than directing what should be seen, the workshop encouraged observation, curiosity, and personal expression, allowing each participant to capture the landscape through their own unique lens.The resulting footage was later compiled by Chapela into a collaborative short film, transforming individual observations into a collective portrait of the community’s relationship with the ocean. The project highlighted how creativity can become a powerful tool for environmental awareness, giving visibility to voices that are often absent from conversations about conservation and the future of coastal ecosystems.As an extension of this exploration, Chapela also participated in a multidisciplinary roundtable during Azul Pacífico, Hotel El Ganzo’s annual ocean conservation forum. Alongside scientists, environmental advocates, and cultural leaders, he reflected on the unique role artists can play in fostering emotional connections to the natural world and inspiring new approaches to ocean stewardship.
