Tomás Karmelo Amaya
In my journey as a visual storyteller, I contribute to collective healing through co-creating images which embrace the poetry of motion and light, while also embracing Indigenous cultures and lifeways.
Rooted in ancestral teachings, these expressions are at once a celebration of our immense abundance as Indigenous people, and a trauma and healing-informed response to our attempted erasure. The poetic motion happens in front of and behind the camera.
As a poet, I like to move my camera as I would my pen — bringing intention and nuance to every frame, as I would to every syllable or line in a poem. These moments speak to how we’ve survived for generations by staying in motion.
When we create images that speak of abundance in our communities, we are actively breaking cycles that relegate us to deficit-based models of existence. There is great healing power in our visual narratives.
Artist Bios
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Tomás Karmelo Amaya
Tomás Karmelo Amaya was born for the A:shiwi, Rarámuri, and Yoeme tribes. He is a creative director, filmmaker, writer, visual artist, and Indigenous futurist. His work focuses on creating opportunities for healing by embracing intentionality and Indigenous teachings in all forms of expression. He was raised in West Phoenix, Arizona on the ancestral homelands of The O’odham, Yavapai, Piipaash, Maricopa, and Yaqui tribes. His work has been published and featured with the New York Times, CNN, Now This News, Nike, Patagonia, Hasselblad, and Apple among several others. He and his wife, Siera Begaye Amaya, co-own Kanion, a creative agency and production company based out of Phoenix, Arizona. As a public speaker and educator, his most recent keynote was at Princeton University’s Carl A. Fields Center for Equality + Cultural Understanding to speak on visual storytelling, kinship, and community.
Organizations
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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
We look forward to seeing you at our Adobe tent at Photoville! Our photographers will be there opening weekend—Saturday and Sunday from 12-7pm. Join us
— for photowalks throughout each day, some with models to photograph, and we will be editing live some of the photos taken!
— to see tips and tricks on mobile photography, working with color, black and white, removing unwanted or distracting elements from your images, etc.
— and let us show you how quick and easy editing on the go is with your mobile phone!
Adobe Lightroom Ambassador: Tomás Karmelo Amaya
Featuring: Tomás Karmelo Amaya
Curated by: Adobe
Locations
View Location Details Brooklyn Bridge Park – Pier 1Old Fulton and Furman St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
Explore other locations and exhibitions nearby
Location open 24 hours
Related Events
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Demos
Demos featuring “before and after” photos—see what is possible!
Learn MoreAdobe Photoshop Lightroom MEet the Artist Photowalk with Tomás Karmelo Amaya
Photowalk with Tomás Karmelo Amaya — born for the A:shiwi, Rarámuri, and Yoeme tribes, Tomás Karmelo Amaya is a creative director, filmmaker, writer, visual artist, and Indigenous Futurist.
Meet at Adobe Tent at the Entrance to Pier 1
Learn More
