Through video, photography, installation and actions Arias explores the human condition. Recurring themes include conflict, sexuality, religion, communication and a range of social issues. Lives and works in Colombia and England.

Since Fernando Arias won the Colombian National Art prize in 1994 his work has been exhibited extensively. In 1999 represented Colombia at the Venice Biennale. Other Bienials include: III Bienal de Bogotá, la V y VIII Bienal de La Habana, la II Bienal deMercosur y la I Bienal de Tirana.

Solo exhibitions and presentations include: EastCentral Gallery, London; Eduardo H Fernandes Gallery, Sao Paulo; Videografía Fundación Telefónica Lima; Communion Time Doque Gallery Barcelona; Contemporary Art Gallery Vancouver; Gate Foundation, Amsterdam; Chapter Arts Cardiff; London Printworks Trust and Gallery of Modern ArtGlasgow.

Group exhibitions and video festivals include: Oberhausen International Short Film Festival, Germany; Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival, Toronto, Canada; Stretch Power Plant, Toronto; Fluid Wolverhampton Art Gallery UK and Body PoliticX Witte de With, Rotterdam.

Awards and grants include: Research Grant 13 Salones Regionales, curatorial project, Ministry of Culture Colombia; 4 Prince Claus Foundation Awards, Holland; Necessary Journeys Arts Council England, BFI Black World y Tate Modern; One to One Bursary, Arts Council England and Live Art Development Agency; Grants for the Arts Arts Council England; Space Studios award; Individual Artist Award, London Arts; Scottish Arts Council Award and Colcultura grant Colombia. Work in collections include: Daros Latinamerica, Zurich; Victoria&Albert Museum, London; Museum of Modern Art, Bogotá; Collection of Latin American Art Essex University; Banco de la Republica, Bogotá and other private collections in Canadá, England, France, Brazil and Colombia.

For fifteen years he directed two arts organisations in the UK, whilst working with Fernando Arias on numerous projects, including those in Colombia's remote Chocó region.

In 2009 he was contracted by Colombia's Ministry of Culture to curate and manage part of the Salon Regional and in 2010 the Salon Nacional, bringing him closer to the country's contemporary visual arts sector.

His interest in the environment, consumption and social exclusion strengthened through his experiences in Colombia. This encouraged him to set up Más Arte Más Acción, offering artists a platform to address these concerns.