Art & Culture

Experience PAPJAZZ, Haiti’s Biggest Annual Jazz Festival

March 15, 2025 by admin

jazz concert on big stage in front of large sitting crowd — PAPJazz festival in Port-au-Prince
Photo: Josué Azor

Experience PAPJAZZ, Haiti’s Biggest Annual Jazz Festival

Every year in January, Port-au-Prince is transformed by PAPJAZZ – Haiti’s must-visit Jazz festival.

One of the Caribbean’s most renowned music festivals, PAPJAZZ is a city-wide celebration of jazz, with performances across multiple venues in Port-au-Prince, many of which offer free entry.

Also known as the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival, PAPJAZZ brings together outstanding Haitian musicians alongside world-class jazz artists from the Caribbean, the Americas, and Europe. The festival draws an international audience, making it a melting pot of cultures united by music.

Throughout the week, bars, restaurants, and cultural spaces across Port-au-Prince transform into jazz venues, creating an electrifying atmosphere across the city. While most performances are free, the Karibe Hotel hosts ticketed concerts featuring some of the festival’s biggest acts. Beyond the music, attendees can take part in workshops and discussions that explore the rich and evolving jazz scene of the Caribbean.

How to get the most out of PAPJAZZ

To fully experience PAPJAZZ, make sure to explore its diverse venues, which range from grand concert halls to intimate outdoor spaces. Regular festival hosts include Karibe Hotel, L’Institut Français, Quisqueya University, and Place Boyer, each offering a unique atmosphere.

Budget tip: If you’re looking for a great show without the ticket price, head to Quisqueya University, where entry is free for PAPJAZZ performances.

As the night deepens, the music doesn’t stop—after-hours jazz sessions bring a laid-back, intimate vibe to bars, beer gardens, observatories, and even arboretums. One of the best places to soak in the post-show atmosphere is Quartier Latin, a restaurant known for its Caribbean and Latin cuisine, elegant ambiance, and an impressive wine selection on Hispaniola. Sipping a drink under the stars while smooth jazz plays in the background? It doesn’t get much better than that.

PAPJAZZ Lineup

Every year, PAPJAZZ brings together an impressive mix of international and Haitian artists, showcasing the rich diversity of jazz from across the world. Past editions have featured renowned musicians such as Cecile McLorin Salvant (US), Terence Blanchard (US), Barbra Lica (Canada), Emile Parisien (France), Julian and Roman Wasserfuhr (Germany), and Joss Stone (UK), alongside top jazz talent from Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond.

Haiti’s own vibrant jazz scene is also a major highlight of the festival, with performances from acclaimed local artists such as BIC, Claude Carré, Paul Beaubrun, Phyllisia Ross, Fatima, Akoustik, Konpa Flashback, and Follow Jah.

Ready to experience the magic of PAPJAZZ? Visit the official PAPJAZZ website for the latest updates, follow them on Instagram, and start planning your trip today!

Written by Jean Fils.

Published October 2019.
Updated March 2025.

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Seven Famous Haitian Painters to Watch

March 14, 2025 by Anton Lau

Haitian painting for sale in Pétion-Ville
Photo: Franck Fontain

Seven Famous Haitian Painters to Watch (and Maybe Even Collect)

Haitian contemporary art is bold, imaginative, and deeply rooted in culture. These seven artists are pushing boundaries—and their work is worth collecting.

Haitian artists push the boundaries of imagination, reinterpreting their cultural roots while developing unique visual codes. Their work, deeply rooted in Haitian folklore and contemporary realities, transcends borders to offer a universal vision of artistic expression, blending tradition with innovation.

These seven visionary artists are not only shaping Haiti’s contemporary art scene—they’re also creating pieces worth collecting. With bold styles and compelling narratives, their work stands out in galleries, private collections, and museums worldwide.

Tessa Mars

Tessa Mars is a contemporary Haitian artist who has established herself with a distinctive style. Through her art, she explores varied themes often deeply connected to Haiti’s social and cultural realities.

Tessa favors soft pastel tones and delicate hues, crafting surreal landscapes filled with faces and mythical figures. Her work is a deeply personal interpretation of Haitian collective memory, transforming history and identity into bold, dreamlike compositions.

As the daughter of Ketly Mars, a well-known Haitian writer, Tessa Mars has carved her own path in the creative world, asserting her unique voice on the canvas.

Explore more of her work here: Tessa Mars Official Website

Mario Benjamin

For Mario Benjamin, Haitian art is about more than just painting idyllic rural scenes—his approach is modern, bold, experimental, and unconventional.

His art is an explosion of vivid and unexpected colors, breaking away from traditional expectations and pushing Haitian contemporary art into new territory.

A self-taught artist, Mario Benjamin moves beyond painting, exploring mediums such as sculpture and metalwork. His mastery of materials and colors results in pieces that are nonconformist, vibrant, and full of raw energy.

A pioneer of performance art in Haiti, Mario has had a profound impact on the local and international art scene. He has inspired a new generation of artists, including Sébastien Jean, and has played a role in the rise of Atis Rezistans, a renowned art collective from Grand Rue.

His work is housed in private collections and major institutions.

Mafalda Mondestin

Mafalda Mondestin creates an artistic universe where women take center stage. Her original approach to the female nude evokes a sense of security, sisterhood, and freedom.

Her artistic signature includes deep, neutral tones, particularly intense blacks that define her figures. This contrast of light and darkness gives her work a unique and striking depth.

Mafalda studied visual arts and graphic design at Valencia Community College in Florida, graduating in 2010. After the 2010 earthquake, she returned to Haiti to dedicate herself fully to painting, drawing, and printmaking. Now a teacher at the Centre d’Art, she plays a key role in training new generations of Haitian artists.

In 2019, she participated in the Intra-Caribbean Residency Program in Cuba, supported by UNESCO, where she specialized in printmaking.

Explore her work here: Mafalda Mondestin Official Website

Pasko

Pierre Pascal Merisier, known as Pasko, is a Haitian artist whose work stands out for its fascinating hybrid forms. His paintings blend humans, animals, and plants into intricate, surreal compositions.

His unique visual world features disproportionate eyes, recurring limbs, and hypnotic patterns, which blur the boundaries between reality and imagination. His art invites viewers to reflect on the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature.

Born in Pétion-Ville in 1974, Pasko is a painter and printmaker trained by Haitian artist Tigo. His work is deeply inspired by Haitian popular culture, weaving traditional themes into modern interpretations.

Now a printmaking instructor at the Centre d’Art, Pasko’s creations are recognized for their technical precision and originality, securing his place in Haitian contemporary art.

SIMIL

Emilcar Similien, known as SIMIL, was born in Saint-Marc in 1944. His passion for drawing and painting began early and quickly evolved into a distinct artistic style.

SIMIL’s work often features female silhouettes, adorned with gold jewelry, embodying timeless elegance and symbolism.

His paintings are known for their fine details and precise execution, with each element meticulously crafted to draw the viewer into a rich narrative.

Strongly influenced by Ancient Egyptian art, his figures are often depicted in profile, set against luminous backgrounds. He primarily works with acrylic on masonite, creating pieces that are deeply symbolic and intricately detailed.

SIMIL’s work is part of the Centre d’Art’s collection, marking his lasting influence on Haitian contemporary art.

Painting by Frantz Zéphirin
Photo: Centre d’Art

Frantz Zéphirin

Born in Cap-Haïtien on December 10, 1966, Frantz Zéphirin was introduced to painting in 1973 by his uncle, Antoine Obin, a master of Cap-Haïtien’s artistic tradition.

However, Zéphirin’s artistic world is far more vibrant and surreal than that of his predecessors. His paintings burst with color, intricate patterns, and imaginative storytelling.

His works depict biblical characters, Loas (Vodou spirits), and scenes of Haitian social and political life, offering a layered, symbolic vision of Haiti’s identity.

One of the most recognizable elements of his work is the use of animals, which he seamlessly integrates into his compositions. According to Zéphirin, “there is an animal inside every human”, a theme that runs throughout his art.

Pascale Monnin

Born in Port-au-Prince in 1974, Pascale Monnin is a Haitian-Swiss multidisciplinary artist whose work is defined by a poetic and singular aesthetic. A sculptor, engraver, and painter, she draws inspiration from Haitian folklore, yet builds a highly personal visual universe.

Recurring symbols in her art include birds, representing freedom, and eggs, symbolizing renewal and fragility. These motifs reflect her ongoing exploration of life, transformation, and the passage of time.

Beyond her personal artistic practice, Pascale and her family have played a key role in shaping Haitian art history. Since 1956, the Galerie Monnin, founded by her family, has supported and exhibited Haitian artists. Pascale also led the Centre d’Art d’Haïti from 2014 to 2016.

Her work has been showcased at prestigious venues such as the Grand Palais, Villa Medici, and the Fowler Museum, and is part of collections at institutions like Haiti’s Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien and the Waterloo Center for the Arts.

Follow her work on Instagram: @pascale_monnin

Written by Costaguinov Baptiste.

Published March 2025.

Explore Haitian Art & Culture

Party like a Haitian at Jacmel Carnival

February 11, 2025 by Editor

Dancing at Jacmel Carnaval, Haiti — Jacmel Carnaval
Photo: Franck Fontain

Party like a Haitian at Jacmel Carnival

Jacmel’s Carnival isn’t just something you watch—it’s something you feel, hear, and move with. From late-night street parties to legendary parades with giant surreal papier-mâché figures, here’s how to throw yourself into the madness.

More than just a party, Kanaval is a season that takes over Haiti, turning the entire country into a stage for creativity, revelry, and the uninhibited celebration of all things Haitian. Bold colors, fiery flavors, cheap (and dangerously good) rum, hypnotic music, and dancing that never stops—it’s all wrapped in a mix of mysterious folklore, mischievous spirits, and a deep sense of history. The echoes of Haiti’s colonial past stand side by side with its fiercely independent spirit, a reminder that this celebration is as much about identity as it is about revelry.

If you’re only in Haiti for a short time, the last thing you want is to waste hours figuring out where the party is. Plan ahead, head straight to Jacmel, and make your long weekend a non-stop Kanaval experience.

Jacmel Carnaval, Haiti — Carnival in Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

Getting to Jacmel

Flying into Port-au-Prince is no longer a viable option, as the current volatility in the capital has made overland travel from Port-au-Prince to Jacmel impossible. Instead, you should fly into Cap-Haïtien, Haiti’s northern hub, and then take a Sunrise Airways domestic flight to Les Cayes in the south, which costs around $100 USD.

Once in Les Cayes, you can get to Jacmel via public transport in minivans known as tap-taps or by hiring a private taxi. The drive takes around five hours, but luckily, it’s one of the best-maintained roads in the country and offers some of the most scenic countryside views.

Tap-taps – The cheapest way to travel, costing around $35 USD, but also the most crowded. Expect a tight squeeze, lively conversations, and the chance to get out of your comfort zone. We recommend getting in early and head for the back row which offers fresh air and good access to the view of passing countryside.
Private taxi – A more comfortable (but significantly pricier) alternative. Rates vary, but expect to pay upwards of $200 USD for the trip.

Never taken a tap-tap before? Watch our guide on how to take a tap-tap in Haiti for tips on what to expect and how to ride like a local.

Once you arrive in Jacmel, prepare to be swamped by moto drivers who will enthusiastically vie for the chance to drive you to your accommodation. If you’re travelling light, you can walk: Jacmel is compact and everything’s within walking distance. If you feel like starting your trip with a shot of adrenaline, you can jump on a moto, but make sure you check this guide before you do.

Where to stay

If you book in advance, you can find accommodation at a spectrum of hotels, from historic lofty-ceilinged mansions of Victorian coffee barons like Hotel Florita to ocean view Airbnb villas with their own pool overlooking Jacmel bay like the Chic Chateau to family-owned hotels with private beach like Cyvadier Plage and maybe even a couchsurfing couch.

Whatever you choose, your local host will probably share with you their favourite way to enjoy Kanaval weekend.

Body paint at Jacmel Carnaval, Haiti — Body paint at Jacmel Carnaval
Photo: Frank Fontain

How to party

First up, this is a three-day party. Slow and steady wins the race, so don’t get too swept away by the strange tides overtaking the city. The joy of Kanaval is in the air, but it’s perfectly fine to soak up the atmosphere from a distance while you settle into your room and crack open the first drink of the weekend.

If you make the rookie mistake of partying too hard on Friday night, you’ll be hitting the snooze button while everyone else is hitting the beach. On Saturday morning, the best move is to pack a bag and head to the beach, where it’s time to socialize, surf, and sip coconut water (or something stronger).

As night falls over the glistening bay of Jacmel, the energy shifts, and it’s time to pick your party. If you’re looking for a classic nightclub experience, Le Belvédère is one of Jacmel’s most iconic spots, located within walking distance of most city hotels. For something more high-energy, Var Club is a favorite, but since it’s a 10-minute drive from downtown, you’ll need to arrange transportation. Expect blasting Afrobeats, Kompa, Raratech, and other tropical rhythms—and don’t count on having much conversation.

If you’re after something more relaxed, L’Auberge du Vieux Port is the place to be, with live jazz performances and a slightly older crowd.

Stay up as late as you want, but don’t forget—Sunday is the big finale.

This brings us to the final stretch of the weekend: Sunday, and the main event. Kanaval proper is a parade that floods the streets with song, rhythm, and color. The creativity and intricacy of the masks are constantly astonishing. Alongside the bold primary colors, voluminous dresses, and towering turban-like headpieces you’d expect, you’ll find modern twists—body paint, avant-garde costumes, and masks that veer into the dark, bizarre, and surreal, rivaling the novelty and extravagance of Burning Man.

All of this unfolds to a ceaseless backdrop of Caribbean rhythm and voices lifted in song, often in Creole. The bands perform with unstoppable energy and stamina, and the “cha” will teach you that music can be played louder than you thought was possible. For the next twelve hours, the main streets will be packed with movement as the crowd dances, sings, and parties nonstop—straight into the early hours of Monday.

Curious about the characters and costumes of Jacmel Carnival? Check out our guide to the colorful figures that make Kanaval unforgettable.

Carnival stand at Jacmel Carnaval, Haiti — Carnival stand at Jacmel Carnaval
Franck Fontain

Kanaval stands

If you’re serious about surviving Sunday, it’s worth spending $10–$30 USD for a stand ticket. Not only does it give you a home base to stash your belongings, but it also lets you dive into the crowd, ride the wave of the parade, and retreat to rest when needed.

If you’re in Haiti on a tight budget, you might be tempted to skip the stands in search of a more “authentic” (and cheaper) experience. But trust us—after hours of nonstop dancing, sun, and crowds, the convenience of a seat becomes priceless. It’s better to have a spot on a stand and not use it than to need a spot on a stand and not have it.

If you sprinted into the weekend on Friday night with a big hoorah then the parades, rara bands and cha’s on Sunday will more than likely exceed your tolerance for stimulus. But if you paced yourself, you’ll have the energy to keep up with the rum cocktails, the relentless music, and the chaotic beauty of it all.

Carnival is a party tsunami—vibrant mayhem, organized chaos, unfathomably loud, and absolutely unforgettable. And let’s be honest—once you’ve experienced it… you’ll be back.

Written by Sarah Wallace.

Published August 2018.
Updated February 2025.

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Rhythms and Rituals at Lakou Soukri’s Vodou Festival

April 10, 2024 by Anton Lau

Ritual bath at Lakou Soukri Vodou festival
Photo: Jean Oscar Augustin

Rhythms and Rituals at Lakou Soukri’s Vodou Festival

Dive into the heart of Haiti with a journey to Lakou Soukri’s annual Vodou Festival, where tradition, spirituality, and community come to life

Located deep in Haiti’s Artibonite Department, Lakou Soukri annually emerges as the epicenter of a festival deeply rooted in Vodou culture, renowned for its spiritual significance and sense of community.

Despite its rich traditions, Vodou frequently encounters misunderstandings and stereotypes that veil its authenticity.

What essential truths does Lakou Soukri’s festival reveal about Vodou?

Our visit to the Lakou aimed to uncover the heart of the festival, drawing us into a celebration marked by dance, offerings, and communal spirit. This journey through the festival showcases Vodou steeped in tradition, devotion, and a deep bond with the natural and spiritual realms, transcending widespread misconceptions.

Gathering at the Lakou Soukri Vodou Festival
Photo: Jean Oscar Augustin

What is a lakou?

In the heart of Haitian cultural traditions lies the lakou, more than just a space, it’s a cornerstone of community and spirituality. Long before cities, neighborhoods, and municipalities, there were lakou. This social organization resembles the communal essence of African villages, serving as a nurturing ground for education, devotion, and the preservation of Vodou traditions. Central to each lakou is the poto mitan, a symbolic pillar connecting the community to their ancestors and the spiritual world.

Leadership within a lakou comes from the Houngan (Vodou priest) or Mambo (Vodou priestess), who are not only spiritual guides but also serve as healers and community organizers. Their role is critical in maintaining the social fabric and spiritual health of their community, whether they’re natives or newly initiated members.

One notable lakou, Soukri Danach, stands out for its historical significance and its annual festival that attracts a diverse crowd. This event embodies the communal and spiritual vitality of the lakou, highlighting its role in Haitian society.

The Ancient Echoes of Lakou Soukri Danache

Lakou Soukri Danache is a beacon among Haiti’s spiritual landscapes, heralded as one of three pivotal spiritual sites. Its roots are said to stretch back before Haiti’s own emergence as a nation, entwining with the histories of Lakou Souvenance and Badjo to form a sacred trinity, each guardian to a unique Vodou rite. Soukri, in particular, vibrates with the Congo rite, a living homage to the ancestral traditions of Congolese slaves, in contrast to Souvenance’s alignment with the Dahomey kingdom rites of Benin.

The lore of its inception ties back to Zinzin Figaro, revered as the first to lead the lakou. Soukri’s history is rich with tales of refuge for maroon slaves from Congo, seeking solace and freedom in the heart of Haiti’s struggle for independence.

Sprawling across two and a half hectares, Soukri Danache is a tapestry of dwellings, plantations, and families, thriving on agriculture and livestock yet bound by a profound spiritual legacy. Annually, this lakou calls back its children, those born within and those initiated under its shade, in a pilgrimage that reaffirms the unbroken connection to their spiritual and cultural heritage.

Ritual bath at Lakou Soukri
Photo: Jean Oscar Augustin

Sacred Rituals & Soulful Gatherings

Embraced by the call to return, the children of Lakou Soukri converge to celebrate their rich heritage in a festival that spans over two weeks. During this period, the lakou is brimming with activities that touch the essence of Vodou: from rhythmic dance to solemnity of ceremonies, offerings, and ritual baths.

As dusk settles on August 14th, the sacred grounds of the temple, known as Soba, come alive with anticipation. This night is reserved for Met Kafou, the Vodou loa (meaning Vodou spirit) seen as the custodian of crossroads, a symbol of choices, paths, and the intersections of life and the spiritual realm. The assembled, both initiated and intrigued, are led by figures of spiritual authority through the gates to the temple, engaging in prayers that seek blessings from the loas, reinforcing the bonds of unity and shared existence.

The crescendo arrives the day after, on August 15th, with a grand Vodou ceremony. Adorned in white, symbolizing purity and openness, participants gather at designated sanctuaries within the lakou. The day’s ceremonies begin with prayers, drumming, and ritual sacrifices — roosters by the gate, goats within the Soba, and a bull near an ancient tree known as Palan Ganga, each act deepening the spiritual ambiance.

If you find the idea of animal offerings unsettling, know that for believers, this is a ritual rooted in reciprocity and the maintenance of cosmic balance.

Preparations at Lakou Soukri Vodou Festival
Photo: Jean Oscar Augustin

Following these poignant moments, attention shifts to the Basin Inan for a ritual bath honoring the loa Manbo Inan. Surrounded by towering trees, this natural pool witnesses a mesmerizing ceremony of intensive drumming, dancing, and singing, culminating when the loa, believed to dwell in these waters, materializes. The initiated, now in a state of possession, leap frantically into the pool in a display of faith and ecstasy.

This extraordinary scene not only offers a glimpse into the profound spirituality of Vodou but also allows pilgrims to seek blessings by collecting water from this sacred site.

The days that follow are filled with dances and ceremonies at various spirit resting places, each moment deepening the communal and spiritual connections. The festival concludes with a universal salutation to the cardinal points, a final act of unity and reverence, encapsulating the profound journey of return and celebration that is the Lakou Soukri festival.

A break between ceremonies at Vodou Festival
Photo: Jean Oscar Augustin

When to Experience the Magic of Soukri

The enchanting Soukri festival unfolds annually from August 14th until the early days of September. This timeframe, bridging the warm summer and the onset of fall, creates an ideal setting for the night dances and sumptuous feasts characteristic of Vodou celebrations, all while avoiding the season’s heavy rains.

Getting there

The lakou is located a few kilometers north of Gonaïves. The simplest route is to take a tap-tap or a motorcycle taxi from the city, heading towards the locality of Mapou and then continuing towards Soukri. As you approach, remember the profound respect this lakou commands among its keepers, thus, approaching it with mindfulness and respect for its spiritual significance is essential.

Want to make an offering?

To immerse yourself in the festival’s spirit, consider bringing an offering. For specific guidance, an initiate can advise on what’s most appropriate for each ceremony. Commonly, a bottle of Haitian rum serves as a welcome gift. When you present this to the Lakou’s servant for the Loas’ table, it signifies your participation in a tradition of generosity. Witnessing this, you might also experience, as do the initiates and pilgrims, the profound generosity of the loas in return.

Written by Costaguinov Baptiste.

Published April 2024.

Explore the Mystical Side of Haiti

Seven Haitian Businesses and Brands You Should Know

December 25, 2023 by Anton Lau

smiling haitian woman with an artisanal bag and earrings — Handcrafted handbag by Vèvè Collections
Photo: Vèvè Collections

Seven Haitian Businesses and Brands You Should Know

We’re giving you the lowdown on Haiti’s top entrepreneurs and independent businesses, including art galleries, a woman-owned fashion boutique and delicious local products.

When it comes to loving and repping Haiti everywhere we go, we all know that walking the walk is what really matters. Haitian Heritage Month is in May, but driven, talented, and hard-working Haitians surround us all year long. Making sure that travel pennies are pocketed by people they will directly impact is both extremely important and easy. It’s a great way to support Haiti, to gift something special to a friend, or to carry a little piece of the island with you everywhere you go.

With that in mind, we’re giving you the lowdown on Haiti’s top entrepreneurs and independent brands, including art galleries, a woman-owned fashion boutique and delicious locally-grown chocolate and coffee.

1. Tisaksuk

Tisaksuk is a black-and-woman-owned fashion brand that strives to make traditional Haitian clothing that is usually reserved for cultural events or special occasions more of an everyday habit. The garments feature hand-painted illustrations of Haitian silhouettes, traditional homes, and still life.

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A post shared by Tisaksuk | Promoting Haiti (@tisaksuk)

2. Mokafe

One of the more popular and dynamic brands of Haitian coffee grown, harvested, and ground in Beaumont, Haiti, Mokafe offers a wide variety of flavored coffee, ranging from their Tanbou (caramel) flavor to their Cap Rouge (chocolate) grind. It’s the perfect way to start your day!

Click here to buy Mokafe Ground Organic Gourmet Coffee!

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3. Makaya Chocolate

Based in Pétion-Ville, Port-au-Prince, Makaya Chocolate is the brainchild of Ralph Leroy. The chocolatier offers specially catered chocolate tasting experiences at his flagship location in Pétion-Ville, and various flavors of Makaya chocolates are available at supermarkets all throughout Haiti.

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A post shared by Makaya Chocolat (@makayachocolat)

4. Kòmsi Like and Colorful Nomad

Coralie Nader is the Haitian woman behind Kòmsi Like, a Haitian women empowerment brand, and Colorful Nomad, a vintage clothing shop. Her style brings a lively, funky flair that appeals to the young, the bold, and the proud in ways that other companies are rarely doing today.

Click here to visit the Kòmsi Like shop!

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A post shared by Kòmsi Like | Haitian Lifestyle Brand (@shopkomsilike)

5. Vèvè Collections

Looking for functional fashion pieces that are also art statements? Phelicia Dell’s Vèvè Collections is the place for you. Traditional Vodou vèvè designs are given a new life with stunning, hand-woven beadwork on the side of handbags, dresses, and several other articles of clothing from the designer’s studio.

Click here to buy a handcrafted Vèvè Collections handbag!

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6. Créations Dorées

Stéphanie Dartigue and Sara Magloire are the beauties and brains behind the Haitian jewelry and footwear brand Créations Dorées. The gorgeous, handmade sandals feature hand-beaded detailing and add a stylish tropical flair to any outfit.

Check out the Créations Dorées online shop!

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7. Galerie Monnin

Located just 15 minutes outside of Pétion-Ville, Galerie Monnin is a dreamy, almost surreal crossroads where art and Haiti meet for what seems like a moment suspended in time. If you are into collecting art, or into surrounding yourself with beautiful work, this is the place for you.

Get to Know Haiti a Little Better

Seven Haitian Artists to Follow on Instagram

December 11, 2023 by Anton Lau

city street with woman walking and painting on display — Haitian art for sale on Rue Pinchinat, Pétion-Ville
Photo: Franck Fontain

Seven Haitian Artists to Follow on Instagram

Discover the unique artistry emerging from the streets of Haiti and beyond. These are the seven hottest Haitian artists to follow on Instagram right now, according to renowned Haitian art curator Yvena Despagne.

Art X Ayiti co-founder Yvena Despagne created the @artxayiti insta account as a platform for emerging and under-represented Haitian contemporary artists. The account showcases works, exhibitions, stories and collaborations by artists of Haitian descent in Haiti and the diaspora, especially in New York. With Art X Ayiti’s help, we’ve rounded up seven unique Haitian artists for you to check out on Instagram.

Like what you see? Make sure you give @artxayiti a follow on Instagram.

1. Fabiola Jean-Louis

Fabiola Jean-Louis’ art experiments with objects and themes across Haitian folklore, history, and the pre- and post-industrial eras. Through photography, costume and paper sculpture, Jean-Louis explores the different presentations of identity and its connections to mundane objects. Her work has been described as “magical, moody, and mysterious”, and following her on Instagram feels like getting exclusive access to the process as well as the artist and her upcoming projects.

Genre: Paper Mache Sculptures/Photography

IG: @Fabiolajeanlouis

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Website: fabiolajeanlouis.com

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A post shared by Fabiola Jean-Louis (@fabiolajeanlouis)

2. SAMDI

Born and raised in Haiti, SAMDI is an abstract painter. His work evinces a wide-ranging inspiration, from Picasso to Basquiat. For SAMDI, every moment spent painting is transformed into an experience of self-discovery. The distinctiveness of his paintings lies in a looseness of form that is nonetheless expressive.

Genre: Abstract Painter

IG: @samdiatisla

Location: Port-au-Prince, Haiti

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A post shared by SAMDI.ATISLA (@samdi.atisla)

3. Vanessa Charlot

Vanessa Charlot threads the needle between activism and art. As a documentary photographer, Charlot has made it a goal to capture the essential and often overlooked nature of the human experience. She primarily shoots in black and white. The uniqueness of her work emanates from a raw representation of the unseen and the unsaid. She describes her work as focusing on economic issues, gender and sexual expression and the intersectionality of spirituality. Indeed, Vanessa’s work is an extension of the humanity of her subjects, alongside their complexities. Follow her on Instagram to get a glimpse at her politically-charged work.

Genre: Photography

IG: @vanessa.charlot

Location: St. Louis, MS

Website : vanessacharlot.com

4. Naderson Saint-Pierre

Naderson Saint-Pierre paints colorful, compelling, black portraiture. While he describes himself as a self-taught artist, his work is a testament to his incredible raw skill and precise technique. Often autobiographical and rich in narrative, his portraits highlight and celebrate an image of black identity, with odes to pioneers in the art world while carving out a style that is uniquely Saint-Pierre’s own.

Genre: Photography

IG: @oursols

Location: Miami, FL

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A post shared by Naderson Saint Pierre (@oursols)

5. Pierre Jean-Baptiste

Pierre Jean-Baptiste is a painter and print designer based in Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY. Fans of George Condo might recognise an influence here, but Jean-Baptiste’s portraits are not just of individual figures, but portraits of people in particular places and times – neighborhoods, bus commutes, barber shops. Jean-Baptiste is inspired by the surroundings of his upbringing and brings in different flavors of Brooklyn, particularly Flatbush, into his work. Jean-Baptiste searches to merge his identity and artistry and have them occupy a particular space in today’s world, transmitting an unflinching vision of modern life with Haitian color and style.

Genre: Abstract/ Mix-Media

IG: @pstudios_

Location: Brooklyn, NY

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A post shared by Pierre (@pierres.studio_)

6. Alexandra Antoine

Chicago-based mixed-media artist Alexandra Antoine is born and raised in Leogane, Haiti. Her collages are playful and textural, layered with cultural symbols and subtle storytelling. Through her art, she studies the African diaspora at large while pulling from her own Haitian identity. Moving between painting, photography, collage, sculpture and mixes of all four, Antoine deftly wields paint, glue and craft scissors to tell deep stories related to culture, identity and spirituality.

Genre: Collage

IG: @alexandra.antoine

Location: Chicago, IL

Website: alexandraantoine.com

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7. Olivier Vilaire (Oski)

Olivier “Oski” Vilaire is an abstract painter and sculptor, born and raised in Haiti before moving to Montreal, where his work is maturing – and gaining recognition in the local art scene. On Instagram, Oski writes that one of his latest series was inspired by American photographer Daniel Gordon. To speak about diversity in the Montreal art scene is to take Oski’s work and place it front and center in the conversation. Oski’s Haitian identity continues to pierce through his art, though more in form and approach than in subject. His subject is often the landscapes of urban Montreal – stylized street maps of migration and integration, inviting the viewer to place themself and consider the concepts of movement and home.

Genre: Abstract Painting/ Sculptures

IG: @oski.awoyo

Location: Montreal, Canada

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Written by Kira Paulemon.

Published February 2021.

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