Abelardo Morell
Photographer / Professor
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
New York, NY USA
“Have some sense of hope, so that even when things are not feeling that great, you stick with it. You've got to work for a living.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationAbelardo Morell
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Born in Cuba, his family fled to the U.S. when he was 14.
Had a working-class lifestyle in Cuba but arrived in America with next to nothing.
His family disapproved of his desire to become a photographer, didn't want him to stay stuck in poverty.
Took odd jobs as a janitor, a doorman, but always had a darkroom and kept up his passion on the side.
Says that achieving your goals won't (and shouldn't) be easy-he put 25 years of work in before he felt successful.
Stresses that everyone is working for a living-just because he's an "artist" doesn't mean he's lazy or somehow "above" anyone.
Likes photographing ordinary, everyday objects because they're "the things we all share."
Glad he found success later in life, says fame and success at too young an age makes people "cocky."
Keep following my journey
Education
Career
Photographer / Professor
I'm a fine art photographer and professor and am fascinated by simplicity and light in my camera obscura work.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Art
Education
Being Creative
Interviewed By
New York City - Boston - New York City
The Central route team heads east to New York City to interview Maribel Leiberman, founder of Mariebelle Fine Treats and Chocolates. In Boston, the Northern route team interviews photographer Abellardo Morell. The Southern route team braves New York City traffic to interview Atoosa Rubenstein, editor-in-chief of Seventeen Magazine.
