Growing up in a Haitian Christian home, and being a part of that community I was always taught that vòdoun was an evil thing, and that all who practiced it were, too, evil. Coming into my adult-hood, in the midst of exploring my identity especially in the context of culture, I became aware of the importance of vòdoun within the fabric of Haitian society. Vòdoun, was important, in that it provided the slaves of the island a means to retain their African heritage. This pagan religion seemed to be a part of every aspect of the Haitian experience whether you were a practitioner or not. It was fascinating to me that something which was considered taboo, was the base of so many traditions, ranging from social events, family structure and interactions, superstition, and even pride. Vòdoun, the match which ignited the Haitian revolution in 1804, an event that many Haitians take much pride in, was begun with slaves in ritual, to liberate themselves from the oppression of the French. Despite the contributions of vòdoun to Haitian culture, there is much disregard and stigma accompanied to this integral facet of the Haitian persona. The series of prints that were made, are a way to tap into the beauty, and mysticism of vòdoun and illustrate the concepts of community, as well as, the correlation to the spiritual world that exists between the living, and the ancestral plane. The motive behind this this exploration, is to foster an appreciation and some knowledge on this misunderstood, misrepresented religion. A religion that plays a part in maintaining the Africaness that slaves’ hard-fought to keep from, by syncretic melding, and hiding their religion within that of their slave owners. The series are titled “face to face”, and ”within the thereafter” as a statement that people should face the truth of themselves, and where there roots lie.
Moun Yo
Lithography, Mixed media on BFK, 30 x 22 inches, 2016