ArtEd online.Exploring Community Through Haitian Art Brilliant colors, naive perspective and sly humor characterize Haitian art. Big, delectable foods and lush landscapes are favorite subjects in this land of poverty and hunger. Going to market is the most social activity of country life, and figures prominently into the subject matter. If you are fortunate enough to attend the National Art Education 2002 Convention in Miami this month, you may have an opportunity to explore the art of a major community in the area--the distinctive art of Haiti. If not, you can still discover Haitian art on the Internet. Haitian art is typically based on Haiti daily life, history, and religion. The culture of Haiti The Culture of Haiti encompasses a variety of Haitian traditions, from native Taino customs to practices imported during French colonisation and Spanish imperialism. As in the cases of Cuba and the Dominican Republic (but to a much larger degree), Haiti is a Afro-Latin nation with is steeped in religion and age-old traditions and finds expression in music, art, and religion. Lying 717 miles south of Florida, Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (dəmĭn`ĭkən), republic (2005 est. pop. 8,950,000), 18,700 sq mi (48,442 sq km), West Indies, on the eastern two thirds of the island of Hispaniola. The capital and largest city is Santo Domingo. . Yet it is historically and culturally different from other Caribbean nations, having experienced diverse influences from native Caribbean Arawak Indian, Spanish, French, African, and United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. cultures. The artistic expression of Haiti reflects a synthesis of African religions African religions Indigenous religions of the African continent. The introduced religions of Islam (in northern Africa) and Christianity (in southern Africa) are now the continent's major religions, but traditional religions still play an important role, especially in the and Christianity. Often considered naive or primitive in style as most artists are self-taught, Haitian art is characterized by vibrant color and mystical imagery in paintings, sequined se·quin n. 1. A small shiny ornamental disk, often sewn on cloth; a spangle. 2. A gold coin of the Venetian Republic. Also called zecchino. tr.v. banners, and metal sculpture made from oil drums. Haitian Art Online * The Bryant Foundation Collection, library.ucf.edu/Bryant/, at the University of Central Florida “UCF” redirects here. For other uses, see UCF (disambiguation). UCF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida. UCF was founded in 1963 as Florida Technological University with the goal of providing highly trained personnel to support the Kennedy Library, offers an electronic exhibition of a collection of works from the West Indies West Indies, archipelago, between North and South America, curving c.2,500 mi (4,020 km) from Florida to the coast of Venezuela and separating the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean. , including many fine works from Haiti. * Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou, found at www.amnh.org/exhibitions/vodou/at the Web site of the American Museum of Natural History American Museum of Natural History, incorporated in New York City in 1869 to promote the study of natural science and related subjects. Buildings on its present site were opened in 1877. , succinctly explains Haitian vodou, a synthesis of African and Catholic belief systems represented in much Haitian art. * The Haitian Spirit: Paintings, Sculpture, and Vodou Banners, www.haitianspirit.com, is an attractive site that offers a excellent introduction to Haitian art. * The Art of Haiti by Medalia Art, www.medalia.net/index.html, presents numerous images of Haitian works. * Art Media Haiti, More than a Gallery, The Center of Haitian Art, www.artmediahaiti. com, is a well-designed site rich in information and images of Haitian art. * Carrie Art Collection, www.artmediahaiti. com, represents a gallery in Petion Ville, Haiti. * City Zoo: Art Created from the Heart, www.cityzookeywest.com, has whimsical Haitian paintings and sculptures. * The Electric Gallery: Haitian Art Wing, www.egallery.com/haiti.html, features the work of a number of Haitian artists, along voodoo flags and their history. * Galerie Macando, www.artshaitian.com, presents interesting stories in addition to Haitian art, music, and books. * The Gallery of West Indian Art, www.galleryofwestindianart.com, offers different kinds of Haitian art. * The Haitian Art Collection, www.haitianart. com, of Delray Beach, Florida Delray Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 60,020. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 64,150. , includes an artist catalog, music and books, sculpture, and hand-painted furniture. * The Haitian Art Company, located at www.haitian-art-co.com, bills itself as the largest collection of Haitian art outside Haiti. View Haitian paintings, papier mache, metal and wooden sculpture, and spirit flags and learn about styles, schools, and artists of Haiti. * World Art Galleries, available at www.caribcreations.com, features Haitian paintings and sequined flags and bottles. * Learn more about Haiti in general at Port Haiti, www.port-haiti.com, and Haiti Global Village, www.haitiglobalvillage.com. |
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