Curated by Felice Caivano, Pablo Delano and Leslie Gérald Desmangles, this exhibition features paintings that focus on scenes of everyday life in Haiti. An opening reception will take place, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Haiti: The Rhythm of Life brings together images that express the cultural traditions, and historic references of Haiti. Desmangles says the themes of the paintings depict some of the rhythmic patterns of activities in the daily lives of Haitians.
“The visual arts in Haiti are an integral part of the culture, and the vivid colors of these paintings embody the creative spirit of a people who, despite life’s daily struggles, are inspired by a profound sense of hope,” he said.
The Edith C. Graham Collection includes artwork that spans the major schools of Haitian painting in the twentieth century including: Saint-Soleil, Cap Haïtien, Jacmel, Artibonite and First Generation Painters. Featured artists in the collection that will be displayed in this exhibit are, Almonor, E. Pierre Auguste, Fils Rigaud Benoit, Jean-Baptiste Jean, Eugéne Jean and Henri Claude Obin, among many others.
A parallel display in the gallery lobby will feature a large painting created by students at Hartford’s CREC Montessori Magnet School in collaboration with Trinity College students. The painting, coordinated by art teacher Lena Stein, is inspired by the Montessori students’ study of Haitian art in the Graham Collection.
The Collection of Haitian Art was donated to Trinity by members of the Graham family in honor of their mother, Edith C. Graham, whose appreciation of Haitian art and support of the Haitian artists spanned nearly forty years. The Graham gift includes paintings, stone and metal sculpture, ceramic objects, and other works.
Haiti: The Rhythm of Life is co-sponsored by the College’s Department of Fine Arts, the Department of Religion and the International Studies Program – Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
Widener Gallery is located in Trinity College’s Austin Arts Center at 300 Summit Street, Hartford, Conn. 06106. Gallery hours are: Sun. through Fri., 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., and closed Saturdays.
The opening event and exhibit are free and open to the public. For more information, please call (860) 297-5232 or 297-2199.