David Elia is most inspired by life. His art and design projects reflect his affinity for framing his perception of every day life, including social commentary on the problems faced by Latin American territories.
Elia, 33, founded a combination studio and small production atelier, Design da Gema, based in Rio de Janeiro and Monaco. The native Brazilian’s work was featured at the Museum of Art and Design in Manhattan (MAD) this past April – which was tremendously well received by experts in the contemporary design world of Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries.
The exhibition, New Territories: Laboratories for Design, Art and Craft in Latin America, featured contemporary artists and designers whose works surveys innovative, cross-disciplinary collaborations and new directions in creative production that have been occurring throughout Latin America since 2000.
Between his use of Monopoly houses, army men, tree branches, rubber garden hoses, empty used bullet shells, and any more intriguing materials, Elia has proved himself as both an excellent designer and innovator.
Elia has had two past stellar shows, Stray Bullet (2011) and Bulletproof (2013) and has been the recipient of both A Prime Design Award (2011) and an IF Materials Design Award (2010).
To keep up with his work, check out Design da Gema’s website or follow him on Instagram.
