Hello dear readers! I find it hard to believe we’re four years into this decade already! This year I want to continue creating as much art as physically possible, learn new skills and techniques, and overall have fun!
I forgot to mention in my last post that those pieces were only HALF of what I created for the portfolio! The other half are pieces related to folktales and history regarding voodoo.
So let’s get straight into the other half of this portfolio!
The theme my portfolio follows is: “What can I learn about my country’s old religion, voodoo?”
The Folktales
Folktales are spread throughout cultures to teach a community, usually the young, about how they should behave and what would happen if they didn’t. To many Haitians, voodoo is powerful and respect is shown towards the religion through cautionary tales.
Zonbi
Zonbis (Zombies), but make them spiritual! Haitian zonbis are victims of Bokors (aka witches, they’re not affiliated with voodoo and are people who participate in dark arts which are looked down upon.) Parents often tell their kids to always be nice to older folk because you can never know who is a bokor. If you disrespect a bokor they can turn you into these Zonbi and make you work in their fields. They turn you into mindless, soulless, slaves.
Materials: Graphite, White charcoal pencil
Misusing Prayer
This piece and its story only loosely tie into voodoo. It’s about a greedy man who wants to win big at the casino, so he prays to god to get that win. But in turn, the gambler falls gravely ill, teaching him not to misuse prayer. This story shows that Christian Haitians continue the cautionary tales and superstitions.
Materials: Gouache, Playing cards
The Flooded Village
An old woman walks around a village, only asking for a glass of water. Every single person rejects her while saying bad things about her. She finally finds a family that is willing to give her to only water but food as well! The old woman warns the family that a flood will wipe out the entire town and to get out. The family leaves and later learns that the flood was so bad that the village turned into a river. It is rumored that the old lady in this story may have been a spirit in disguise.
Materials: Gouache
The History
Haiti has a powerful history rooted in voodoo. Many say voodoo is what freed Haitians from slavery, a practice that had to be hidden in an interesting way to avoid punishment. There are only two pieces I made related to voodoo and Haitian history but both are very important for what voodoo is to many.
Synchronization: Papa Legba and St. Anthony
When Haiti was occupied by France they weren’t allowed to practice voodoo or else they would be severely punished. To combat this, many faithful voodouisaints would synchronize/ combine the spirits and the catholic saints. To the French colonizers, it looked as if the slaves were raising catholic saints when in reality they were praising Haitian spirits!
This piece is a reference to a stained glass portrait of St Anthony. Because he is often depicted holding a child he would be synchronized with Papa Legba who was loved by children.
Materials: Ipad, procreate
The Ceremony of Bois Caiman
In front of a grand tree during the night, a fire is lit and a hog is slaughtered. A sacrifice was made to the spirits, specifically Ezili Dantor, to give the slaves strength to fight against their oppressors. There is a lot of mystery behind this ceremony, but one thing is clear this ceremony caused the slave revolt that eventually granted Haitian slaves freedom!
Materials: Ipad, procreate
That’s it! There are extra pieces in the portfolio either to show other works I’ve done or to show my progress throughout the development of this portfolio. I hope to make a YouTube video about the portfolio in full so I can help/inspire other high schoolers who are taking on this huge challenge.
I hope you all had a wonderful New Year, next time there will be regularly scheduled Student Spotlight interviews! Honestly, I can’t wait to go back to school.. anyway see ya later!
Sephora, out! <3