In addition to painting, four other visual arts flourish in Haïti:

l Vodou flags. The 'authentic' versions are used in religious ceremonies, but some are now made for the market.
Products of appliqué distinguished by the lavish use of sequined beads, they are often works of great talent. (The
molas of Panama's Kuna Indian women, mostly 'reverse appliqué,' are distant folk art cousins. Their origin and
function are different, but they too are now often produced for sale. I have a collection of over 300 molas.)

l Gourdes and bottles. Both originated as vessels to hold magical potions used in vodun ceremonies. Gourdes are
decorated — mostly by vodou priests — with beads or sequins. Bottles are sometimes painted by well–known artists.

l Wood sculpture. There are several fine artists working in this medium. Among the best is André Dimanche.

l Metal sculpture. Works fashioned by cutting patterns out of steel drums and then shaped and decorated by
pounding, punching, and other techniques. Metal sculpture is a stereotypical Caribbean — and Haitian — art–form.
The late Georges Liautaud is the best–known master of Haitian metal sculpture. His one–time apprentice, Serge Jolimeau, is one of the most accomplished living metal sculptors. His work appears in several books, among
them Selden Rodman's Where Art is Joy.

189. Marina_
c1999 (40x16)