“Celebrating Haitian Art" at the Figge Art Museum -- August 17.
Thursday, August 17, 6:30 p.m.
Figge Art Museum, 225 West Second Street, Davenport IA
With the presentation held in conjunction with the venue's current exhibition Endless Flight, Davenport's Figge Art Museum will welcome scholars and the exhibit's artist Edouard Duval-Carrié for the August 17 program Celebrating Haitian Art, a discussion of major collections that exist outside of Haiti, and how making them accessible to artists and scholars throughout its diaspora are important to the preservation of Haitian culture.
Born in Port-au-Prince, and based in Miami, Duval-Carrié moved to Puerto Rico as a child, and studied at Loyola College in Montréal and at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts in Paris. His first exhibition was held at the Centre d’Art in Port au Prince, which helped launch the careers of some of Haiti’s most renowned painters and sculptors, and his work has been featured in solo exhibitions worldwide, including at the Figge in 2005. An internationally renowned talent, Duval-Carrié is a leading contemporary artist focusing on the multi-faceted nature of Haitian identity and culture.
Created at a time of increased Haitian migration into the United States, the Endless Flight artwork casts central Voudou spirits, or lwa, as modern figures including a superhero, a stripper, and a soldier. The central wall of the altarpiece, echoing the architecture of a Catholic church, is accompanied by seven sculptural assemblages. These sculptures are in the form of ships and carts, and carry figures and symbols associated with Voudou spirits like Baron Samedi, the father of the spirits of the dead, and Erzulie Dantor, the goddess of love, motherhood, and vengeance. These vessels refer to the historical migration of colonists and enslaved Africans to Haiti, as well as the modern migration of Haitians fleeing their country due to political turmoil and poverty. Endless Flight is a key work in the Figge’s permanent collection and was acquired with the generous assistance of multiple donors.
“The Figge Art Museum is committed to showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Haiti which is exemplified in Endless Flight,” said Figge Executive Director and CEO Michelle Hargrave. “The accompanying sculptural assemblages, symbolizing the historical and contemporary journeys of Haitians, evoke a powerful narrative of hope and struggle through Duval-Carrié’s profound artistic vision.”
“We are thrilled to once again share Duval-Carrié’s installation, Endless Flight, with the community,” added Figge Assistant Curator Vanessa Sage. “He draws on a deep knowledge of Haiti and his personal experiences to create powerful artwork that confronts misconceptions and offers new ways to engage with Haitian culture.”
Celebrating Haitian Art will be presented on August 17, admission to the 6:30 p.m. program is free, and the Endless Flight exhibit will be on display through September 17, For more information, call (563)326-7804 and visit FiggeArtMuseum.org.
