Figure Sculping at the New York Academy of Arts
I’m taking Figure Sculpting classes this Spring 2024 at the New York Academy of Arts and below are a few photos of my maquette in progress. These are progress shots taken at the end of two sessions of class.
Heart
Our vital organ, represented here in air-drying clay. My next steps with this medium is learning how to waterproof it while keeping its earthy tone.
Corals
A fluid form inspired by corals. I started using air-drying clay for my studies. I’m still learning how to keep it hydrated for long enough to smoothen out my shapes. This model is rough, but I enjoyed working on it, and I love how it turned out.
Promenade at the Met - May 2023
Below are pieces that captured my attention at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, during the month of May 2023.
Saint Benedict of Palermo
Juan de Pareja
“Hangover Square”
Cecily Brown
Pilgrim Bottle and Cover
The details!
Stained Glass Windows at The Gil Studio for B'Nai Jeshurun
Voyage at Subliminal Projects for "Out of Touch" Online Exhibition
“Voyage” triptych (2018)
Acrylic on Canvas
24” x 36” each
My Voyage triptych will be part of a year-long online fundraising exhibition at L.A. based art gallery Subliminal Projects.
Please find the press release from Subliminal Projects below:
OUT OF TOUCH
A Group Exhibition to Benefit the COVID-19 Health Crisis
and the Fight Against Racism
OPENING
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020
EXHIBITION DATES
JULY 10, 2020 - JULY 10, 2021
SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS
1331 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
subliminalprojects.com
Subliminal Projects is pleased to present, Out of Touch, a year-long fundraising online group exhibition uniting artists, nonprofits, and patrons by contributing aid to the ongoing health crisis and social revolution. The exhibition highlights artists from around the world whose work involves themes of human interaction and connection, drawing attention to the universal existential re-evaluation of humanity in the wake of an uncertain future.
As an artist and activist-run space, Subliminal Projects recognizes that the fight against racism and the pandemic are not just trending topics consuming our news and social feeds. They require dedication and long-term support to manifest real change. For the duration of the exhibition, 30% of the proceeds from art sales will besplit between Color of Change, an organization dedicated to racial justice, and Heart to Heart International, providing medical aid and supplies worldwide. Additionally, Subliminal will invite new artists to participate every quarter, bringing in evolving perspectives, as we move forward to a better future collectively
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS:
Amber Boardman, Brian Butler, Bryce Wymer, Cey Adams, Dan Witz, Danny Cole, Ellena Lourens, Hannah Hooper, Hannah Vandermolen, Helen Beard, Justin Hager, KaCeyKal!, Kassia Rico, Kelly Breez, Keya Tama, Marina Capdevila, Nathalie Jolivert, Robert LeBlanc, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Tony Aguero (TOMO77), and UPENDO.
ABOUT SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS:
Subliminal Projects is a multi-functional project space and gallery established by Shepard Fairey and Blaize Blouin in 1995 as a way to introduce skateboard culture and design to the art world. The concept grew and found roots later in Los Angeles, at a time when many artists found themselves shut out by the “art scene.” Subliminal Projects emerged as a gallery that championed emerging and marginalized artists, built out of cultural importance to serve as a center for the community to openly express and spark dialogue about art, music and activism. Now located in the historic neighborhood of Echo Park, Subliminal Projects continues to offer a platform for artistic exploration and innovation. For more information, please visit subliminalprojects.com, or follow us on Instagram @subliminalprojects.
ABOUT COLOR OF CHANGE:
Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over 1.7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and governments to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. For more information visit colorofchange.org, follow them on Instagram at @colorofchange, follow them on twitter at @ColorOfChange, ,and Facebook @colorofchange.
HEART TO HEART INTERNATIONAL
Heart to Heart International strengthens communities through improving health access, providing humanitarian development and administering crisis relief worldwide. We engage volunteers, collaborate with partners and deploy resources to achieve this mission. For more information visit hearttoheart.org, follow them on Instagram at @heart.to.heart.international, follow them on twitter at @Heart_to_Heart, and on Facebook at @heart.to.heart.international.
In All My Dreams | Opening Reception at Barnard College
Photography: Liz Gauthier
Laurent Dubois, Kaiama Glover, (myself), Mafalda Mondestin and Tessa Mars at Barnard College’s Louise McCagg Gallery for the opening reception to the In All My Dreams exhibition
Friday, Feb 21, 2020
Our artist talk was moderated by historian and curator Dominique Jean-Louis, whom I have had such a pleasure speaking with and discussing architectural and cultural preservation, throughout the organization of the In All My Dreams exhibition.
In All My Dreams | A visual installation at Barnard College
In All My Dreams | Edwidge Danticat talks René Depestre
For the programming of the In All My Dreams exhibition, Edwidge Danticat discussed René Depestre’s novel Hadriana In All My Dreams with Kaiama Glover, literary scholar and professor at Barnard College who recently translated Hadriana In All My Dreams in its English version, and with Laurent Dubois, historian and professor at Duke University.
This event took place on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at Albertine Books in New York City.
Photography: Liz Gauthier
2020 Inspiration Board
“Six tailors”
Kerry James Marshall
This 1999 woodcut on paper by Kerry James Marshall is untitled. It's part of Orlando Museum of Art's "Voices and Conversations" exhibit. (Courtesy Orlando Museum of Art)
Doris Salcedo
“A Flor de Piel”
Christopher Myers
“Medea on Fire”
Diego Rivera
“Dream of a Sunday afternoon in Alameda Park”
Deborah Berke
Madame Architect interview: “Deborah Berke on Her Roles as Architect, Dean, and Mother”
Theaster Gates
His interview with Carol Becker for Phaidon
Dream the Combine
“Hide and Seek” at MoMA PS1 for the Young Architect’s Program
Anna Sutor
“A sofa for three”
Malika Favre
“The Butterfly Effect”
Jessica Hische
Clever podcast interview Ep. 77 (Jessica Hische’s enthusiasm is contagious!)
Working on the cover of "The New Noir", new publication by Orly Clergé
Working on Zora for Medium's new platform for women of color's stories
Leader in Residence at Miss Porter's School
'Mwen Chita La'
Exhibited on the walls of the Nona Evans Building at Miss Porter's School
Revision: Translating Histories
The Caribbean Digital IV at University of Virginia [Guest Panelist]
Colorblind at Isometric Studio [Art-Show]
'Pawòl Granmoun': Painting class on Haitian Proverbs [Educational Event]
Photo Credit: Rachel Elizabeth Gauthier
On February 2016, I led a Sip-and-Paint session with for focus, the visual representation of Haitian proverbs. This painting class took place at the Haitian-owned lounge 33 Lafayette and was part of a series of events to celebrate Black History Month with Haiti Cultural Exchange, a Brooklyn based nonprofit organization established to develop, present and promote the cultural expressions of the Haitian people.
MORE HERE
VUCA | Volatilily Uncertainty Complexity Ambiguity
in Thoughts
Thougths on previous four years of professional practice
Roots of Development. Hand-Sown Tapestry at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC during the Frontiers in Development conference in 2014
When I graduated with my bachelors of architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2012, our school president, John Maeda, delivered a speech on “VUCA”; the Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous. This acronym originated in the military and is now widely used in the business world. Using VUCA as reference, Maeda told us to prepare for unprecedented changes as we stepped into “the real world”. Our future would not be as stable as previous generations. However Maeda also reassured us that at RISD, we had acquired the skills that would help us face upcoming challenges... He was right.
During my college years, I dealt with the earthquake of 2010 in Port-au-Prince, my native city. I was undergoing an architecture internship at the time. It was a very trying experience during which my role as an architect became more relevant. The heavy death toll and destruction that occurred during the earthquake were the result of years of poor construction in Haiti. Despite the trauma I experienced during this catastrophe, I went back to school and continued with my architecture degree tirelessly. The support system I had from friends and family was also very important in this process. I endured the rigorous architecture course-load and proudly fulfilled my student leadership positions. It was imperative that my story not be about despair but about perseverance.
As an architectural designer and artist, remaining aware of potential changes that may occur in my trajectory, has strengthened my abilities to stay focused on my goals. I moved back to Haiti when I graduated from RISD. I worked with Architecture for Humanity on the renovation of a historic school building and on various projects for Studio Drum Collaborative, an architecture office led by a Haitian architect who also aspires to provide design solutions to our difficult environment. Those were very rich experiences in which I learned how to lead projects and collaborate with numerous design teams and stakeholders.
I also had the opportunity to work with two other RISD-alum in an art-in-residence program organized by the United States Agency of International Development to promote design solutions in issues of international development. With this program, my colleagues and I led workshops with USAID staff-members and fine-arts students in Bangladesh and Malawi. We were then challenged to present our ideas in artwork that were presented in Washington DC for the 2014 Frontiers in Development conference. Our main task was to visually communicate how to help alleviate extreme poverty. With a very tight timeline, my colleagues and I benefited from our ability to collaborate and carefully listen to all the stories we collected. Our work was well received in Washington DC and certainly fueled us with inspiration for future projects.
During my last four years working in 'the real world', my professional experience has felt like an extension of my education. The VUCA concept is one that designers who grew up in developing countries understand well. With the experience I have acquired working in unpredictable situations in Haiti and elsewhere, I aspire to help institutions grow and reach their full potential, despite how improbable the challenges. Moving back to the United-States this past summer and witnessing how Americans are grappling with their identity post-election is like a déjà-vu of what we often experience in Haiti. While my move was made in search of professional structure, I also realize that the tricks I learned working in a VUCA world might also come very handy into this new professional chapter. Here goes to 2017 and beyond.
Art Benefit for Hôpital Albert Schweitzer
Art Benefit at Affirmation Arts Gallery for Hôpital Albert Schweitzer
A few of my pieces will be showing at Affirmation Arts Gallery, along with artwork from Nader Haitian Art Gallery, for Hôpital Albert Schweitzer's 60th anniversary. The musician Paul Beaubrun will perform during the event, which will be catered by the chef Nadège Fleurimond.
As a former resident of Deschapelles, it is a pleasure for me to support this institution in its continuous efforts to provide healthcare to its population and various neighboring towns in Haïti.
Date: Wednesday, November 0th, 2016
Location: Affirmation Arts Gallery
Time: 7-9 PM
Find out more about Hôpital Albert Schweitzer VIA THIS LINK.