In October, 2013, one of my Visual Art teachers at the BAA, Guy Michel Telemaque, curated an exhibition of Haitian artists for the school’s Gordon Gallery titled Persistence of Spirit.  After spending 2 summers researching Haitian artists throughout Haiti, he was able to bring 3 preeminent visual artists and a collection of their work for the greater Boston community to witness. The exhibition and the series of events connected to the show had a profound effect on me. Spending time with the artists when they visited our school and also the Ambassador of Haiti, who came from Washington DC, was inspiring.

 

From this experience I had the base to create an experience of my own. I went to Haiti and through the support of Guy Michelle Telemaque, John Barnes, and Josianne Hudicourt Barnes I was able connect with Haitian artist and organize a collaboration amongst us. Through this experience we wrestled with the theme of Haitian culture and the things that make it stand.

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The images we came up with are the result of a community of haitian youth under the leadership of the four artists:

Rocky Cotard

Emmanuel Saincilus

Ismer Saincilus

Larimer Saincilus