Marit1e Art News-Haitiat1 Marit1e Art Haiti, as we have seen recently, is in a desperate situation after the 12 January 2010 earthquake. Video and photos show the total devastation of Port-auPrince and the surrounding region, affecting nearly three million people. Even before this natural disaster, Haiti has been a troubled country throughout its history. Life in Haiti poses more difficulties, from widespread poverry and political instabiliry to environmental devasration, than most of us will ever face. Despite the odds against them, there exists in Haiti a thriving and talented communiry of artists, whose paintings are characterized by vibrancy of color and scenes ofbeaury and hope. Drawing from their rich culture, the intensiry of their spiritualiry-both Christian and Vodou-and their troubled history, Haitian artists depict scenes of daily life, mystic and spiritual subjects, animals in symbolic human roles, and historic imerpretation . As Haitians have strong ties to the sea, many of these themes include scenes of the sea, fi shing, boatbuilding, and other marine subjects. Flame Tree Cove by Simeon Michele Many galleries in the United States represem artists in Haiti, and, when acrylic on canvas, 12 x 16 inches, 1986 the news of the earthquake broke, gallery owners and representatives took immediate steps to help, donating proceeds of sales to earthquake relief, and by offering links to reliable organizations offering direct assistance to the victims. You can do yo ur part by learning more about Haitian artists and supporting them in their livelihood through purchasing their works.
Waterside Village by jean-Baptiste Chery acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20 inches, 2004
Harbor Sunset by Raymond LaFaille, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 30 inches, 1990
The online galleries, including www.haitianart.com and www.medalia.net, as well as other Haitian art galleries in the United States you can find through the web, are excellem and convenient ways to connect with Haitian artists. The proceeds go directly to the artists and the local galleries in Haiti who support them, with the gallery owners taking a small percentage for showcasing, advertising, promoting, and handling sales of their art. Further information on Haitian art sales for earthquake relief funds is posted on their web sites. Other ways to support the people in Haiti are by donating cash to: Partners in Health at www.standwith haiti.org; Doctors Without Borders at The Winding Road www.doctorswithoutborders.org; the by Gerard M . Lafontant, acrylic on American Red Cross at www.redcross. canvas, 20 x 24 inches, 2008 org; the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund at www.clintonbushhaitifund.org; UNICEF United States Fund at www.unicefusa.org, and many others. Patched Sails by Gary Chanel, Acrylic on Canvas, BxlO imches, 1992
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