Opening Reception & Haitian Market: September 6, 5 - 8pm
Artists Andre Eugene, Celeur and Guyodo (The Sculptors of Grand Rue) and Veronique Leriche Fischetti will be present.
Panel Discussion: October 4, 6pm, Conaway Center
Vodou Riche: Contemporary Haitian Art is a group exhibition of recent work created within the social, political and spiritual context of Vodou, Haiti’s national religion. The artists embrace a history of appropriating imagery and incorporating found objects, a practice born from necessity and great invention. Haitian art absorbs and interprets visual culture so masterfully because of its foundation in Vodou, a culture that was born and survives due to its history of accommodation and inclusion. As Haitian artists embrace new methods and media, their work grows increasingly vital in the contemporary art world. In Haiti and its diaspora, artwork spans from urban artist collectives who create monumental sculpture from reclaimed materials to established artists who deconstruct traditional Haitian genres to illustrate contemporary issues. Painting, sculpture, photography, installation, video, textiles and assemblage are presented in this multimedia exhibition.
Part of Columbia’s Critical Encounters focus, Poverty and Privilege, Vodou Riche challenges Haiti’s oft-used label “the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere” by presenting the abundance and wealth of Haiti’s creative output. While their country battles socioeconomic problems, Haitian artists embrace the richness of their culture by capturing Haiti’s irrepressible, vibrant and triumphant spirit.
postcard image: My Life as a Tree, by Edouard Duval Carrie, 2007, mixed media on metal