“Edouard Duval-Carrié: Endless Flight" at the Figge Art Museum -- through September 17. (Installation view of Edouard Duval-Carrié’ s "Endless Flight," 2006 at the Figge Art Museum.)
Through Sunday, June 17
Figge Art Museum, 225 West Second Street, Davenport IA
On public view at the Davenport venue for the first time in more than five years, the Figge Art Museum's exhibition Edouard Duval-Carrié: Endless Flight will be showcased in the Fourth Floor Gallery through September 17, the artist's impressive multi-part altarpiece containing dense imagery referencing Haitian spirituality, history, and politics.
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.”
With Brian and Diana Lovett the exhibit's Supporting Sponsors and Carolyn Levine and the Leonard Kallio Trust its contributing sponsors, Edouard Duval-Carrié: Endless Flight will be on display through September 17, with regular museum hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays (10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays) and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Museum admission is $4-10, and more information is available by calling (563)326-7804 and visiting FiggeArtMuseum.org.
