When I first mention the word Haitian art or Voodoo art, I get a lot of strange looks and voodoo doll jokes.  Yet anyone who has visited Haiti, or attended a real voodoo ceremony appreciates their unique and rich forms of art.    Art collectors and art lovers around the world are discovering the sophisticated, complex and resourceful forms of Haitian art and now part of our collection of The Latin Arts.

Voodoo Flag or Drapo is the finest art unique from Haiti that was originally made only for religious ceremonies as praying cloths.  Then in the 1950s, art collectors began acquiring them from the temples.  Once the oungans (priests of Voodoo) saw this, they started to use them as a medium to support their societies.  Today it is still difficult to locate the artists of this sophisticated and complex art.  ElCoquiGalleries.com is pleased to have identified and researched for you works from several of the best artists in Haiti.

According to Tina Girouard, a writer and artist, in her book  “Sequin Artists of Haiti”, sequin artists are among the most gentle, knowing, spiritual people on earth.  With a steady rhythm, they thread thousands of beads and sequins, a cadence that can be compared to the chanting of a prayer.  The sequined tapestry is a complex process.  The artist needs to know Voodoo iconography and the colors associated with the Iwa (voodoo spirits).  It is intense.  First, they stretch a fabric across a hollow wood frame table; then a line drawing is made.  Dexterous fingers rhythmically bring to life the artwork creating the patterns as each bead and sequin is sewn into the cloth.  Each work requires between 18,000 to 20,000 sequins and beads, and takes about 10 days for the artist and his helpers to complete.

Most images tend to honor the Iwa or spirits.  The iconography of the Voodoo pantheon has influences from African, Carib Indian, and European cultures, especially the Catholic sainthood in TheLatinArts tradition.  Since the French masters forbade voodoo during slavery, natives incorporated the images of the Catholic saints into their pantheon of deities so that they could continue worshipping their own gods.   Many flag art images today are an interpretation of some voodoo belief mixed with Christian rituals and teachings.

The artists presented here have all struggled to create and grow a tradition-rich artwork while enduring stressful economic situations and lack of support.  The international art communities and art lovers have become a lifeline for our artists.

Once you have seen art and explored its cultural significance, you will also fall under the spells of Voodoo Art, Haitian art  from ElCoquiGalleries...The Latin Arts!  Following are flags by some of the best artists in Haiti.  If the biography is not available, please let us know and we'll email to you.  Flags come with a certificate of authenticity.

 Lalanne

Baron by top flag maker's atelier, Lalanne.  $1000

Damballah by Telemak $800

 Danthor by I. Telemak,GV2023-HT,$340

Erzlue by Yves Telemak $800

Black Madonna, Yves Telemak $780

Agoue by Ives Telemak $750

Filomisepierre by Silva Joseph,$290

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Grand Bois by Vilaire $90

Two Knives by Vilaire $90

 
Hearts by Vilaire $90

From Bel Air, Yves has been attributed to be the first artist to put the signature on his work “Y.T. Art”, as only the name of the Iwa (spirit) was supposed to be in the flag art.  A young man in this 30s, he’s supporting his family with his art and is considered a commercial success.

His works are fully sequined with no background fabric showing, indicating that they are intended to be shown only as art pieces.  His works are recognizable for this emphasis on borders and lavish geometric patterns.  The contents of his work stay close to the Bel Air tradition, but he’s evolving  his own style as reflected in the use of borders.

 

Silva Joseph and Ives Delva

He is one of the most popular flag artists in Haiti.  We currently only have a few flags from him, but we'll be glad to take custom orders.  Bio is pending.

Ives Delva staring making flags with Silva Joseph.  He decided to open his own atelier and continues to work closely with Silva Joseph.  He was born in Port-au-Prince in 1967.  We are pleased to introduce him in our galleries.

  
Aizan and  Baron by Ives Delva, $530 each.

Vilaire

An up and coming young flag maker, Vilaire is drafting his own style with larger sequins in this work of the spirit of the forest.  He uses a fine stitching method and adorns the borders with new designs. More of his work on next page. These small flags sell quickly, we can find a substitute flag by the same artist and portraying the same spirit is these specific ones are not available.

        
Bosou by Vilaire $90

Sun by Villaire $90


By young and upcoming artist, Bonhomme we present small flags, Ogou and Belecou (Bossou) with black background; and Oguou Batagri and Papa Lega in white background.  These can be sold in pairs or separately.

Small Madonna, $200

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