Haitian Art

Some of you. Have been asking. To see some art I bought in Haiti. So I took photos. Of my two favorite pieces. I’m a great lover of recycled drum art. Cut metal mermaids and fish. Starfish and seaweed. I bought a lot of drum art. But these pieces are special to me. Both infused with Haitian voudou. The photos don’t do them justice. Since spirits avoid capture.



The first is a voudou ritual flag deluged with sequins. A drapo. To honor the spirit and inspire devotees




The second is assemblage art. When I bought the piece, the gallery owner asked if I wanted to meet the artist who was out back. He said that his work wasn’t as good since he “repented” from voudou. But this piece, which the artist called the butterfly angel, was imbued with some of the milder gentler benevolent spirits. Who bring lightness. (It’s too bad the photo doesn’t show the wonderful rusty bent nails congregated on the top and bottom.)


Need a really good laugh? Read the customer reviews for the Playmobil Security Check Point on Amazon.com.

Swept

I am swept by the tide. Island to island. From Port-au-Prince to Whidbey Island, between Seattle and Vancouver. This sounds more idyllic than the reality of airports and a stop in frigid Wisconsin. To exchange summer clothes for winter. To perform between-trip banalities.

The rest of the week will be spent with friends from Weave A Real Peace. People with whom I can be my authentic self. Instead of my representative self. Of an organization. Or a movement. Or a group. Just me.

I had hoped to write more. About Haiti. But life. Keeps moving.

Currently reading: Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat