An exhibition of Haitian art was mounted recently at the Harmony Hall Art Gallery in Brown's Bay, and given the recent disaster in that island country, the showing is all the more timely. One of the main themes of the exhibit is "something from nothing" and that is certainly apparent in the items used to create the art.  Everything from oil drums to bicycle chains to beads are interwoven into these pieces, all of which were on sale to the general public. A special silent auction was in place with all figures raised over the minimum bid going to charity.

There are "traditional" paintings also on display with close attention paid to the everyday lives of the Haitian people.  What stood out for me was a man on a bicycle, for it's sheer size and presence, and the wall-mounted pieces completely made from oil drums.  Judging from comments from some of the visitors to the gallery, most everyone was surprised and impressed that anything of any artistic value could be derived from the bits and pieces that most of us would, with nary a thought, throw on the scrapheap.

365antigua.com had the opportunity to speak with Karla Hostetler, Gallery Director at the Harmony Hall Art Gallery for a Q & A:

From the pieces displayed, there is an emphasis on metal work, found objects, and textiles.  Why these particular items to showcase and what other objets d’art would you say Haitian art encompasses?

Haitian artists work in many different media -- painting, metal sculpture, stone sculpture, textiles, ceramics -- but when most people think of Haitian art these days they think of the paintings lining the streets of Caribbean ports. That work is charming, but it is not representative of the creative genius of Haitian artists that first astounded the art world in the 1940s (which those paintings attempt to replicate) and which is still alive and well in Haiti today. That genius is seen among the metal sculptors we have represented in this show, most of whom have had little formal arts training but who continue to create astounding works that push the boundaries of their medium, oil drum sculpture. We wanted to surprise people and let them know, through the art, that there is much more to Haiti's story than poverty and struggle. Oil drum sculpture is also a truly Caribbean art form, one that has a universal relevance to Caribbean life. It's all about making art out of what you find...in the street and in life.
 
You visited Haiti in November with colleague Paola Vittori. Since the earthquake have you heard about the status of any of the art you saw there or any of the artists themselves.

We were relieved to learn that the artists whose work we are showing came through the quake all right. Some walls came down, and of course everyone had some kind of personal loss of friends and family members so "OK" is a relative word. But thankfully they are still alive. Croix-des-Bouquets, where the metal sculptors live, was hit less hard than other parts of Port-au-Prince in Jacmel, where many of the artists I know are. There, it is especially dire, because so many people are homeless and
hungry, and they have not yet seen any sign of international aid.

We were able to get about 40 tarps to people we know, just flying them in, and would like to do more of that. However, what people have been asking for is help in getting back to work. Many of the artists live hand-to-mouth, and one income can support as many as 10 people. So when the quake hit, livelihoods just stopped.  So even with stores now open people are in trouble. In my work with Resortful Arts, a non-profit that works with Caribbean artists and artisans, as well as with Harmony Hall, this is what we will be focusing on.

As for art work lost, yes, many national treasures are gone. The national art museum collapsed, the Centre d'Art collapsed, the Trinite Episcopal Cathedral where there were wonderful murals painted by the early Haitian masters collapsed, and several galleries with major collections all came down, and some of the great old houses. Many people don't realise how fascinating, visually, Haiti has been. Going to Haiti is like walking into a history book and it is all there in the architecture, in the art work, in the people you speak with. It is so rich in this way if you take the time to learn the history so you know what you are seeing. Efforts are under way to try to salvage what can be salvaged, and I am so glad. Art is part of Haiti's identity, and people are very, very proud of this heritage. Of course now, the experience of the earthquake will become part of that heritage, and we will start to see it represented within the art being created.  In overt ways and also subtle ways I'm sure.

Please explain the silent art auction and the donation process from this exhibit at the Harmony Hall Art Gallery.

The silent auction was held as a part of the exhibit's opening, and people were extremely generous in bidding well beyond the asking price. For the remainder of the show we have simply priced the pieces. Nearly everything did sell the first day, but there are still 3 or 4 pieces. We need to cover costs of the exhibit, but beyond this proceeds will go back to Haiti to help artists and their families rebuild. We will share the impact of this with our mailing list, which anyone is welcome to join.

How long will the art be available for viewing?

Until March 4th. Harmony Hall has another great exhibit opening on March 7th, "Oh Antigua and Barbuda," which will feature the photography of Joseph and Janet Jones, covering the social and natural landscape of Antigua from the past several decades.

What, in your opinion, can Antigua/ns learn from Haitian art? 

Journalists are always trying to define Haiti in terms of poverty and struggle. Haitian artists have always told a much more interesting story: of a place full of humour and natural beauty, of resilience and spirituality, and above all Life. Haitian artists breathe life into everything - and maybe that is what this exhibit shows most clearly: Angels and warriors and prophets rising up out of the debris - the oil drums, and computer bits and cast off junk of society. And with joy.

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"Haiti Rising: An Exhibition of Haitian Art" continues until March 7th.  For information or directions, contact the gallery at 460-4120, or visit the website here.

For more visuals about the state of the art community after the earthquake, including Haiti's Centre d'Art, read up on the recent BBC coverage here.