Raise money for Haitian artist collaboration

Hello!!!

My name's Harielle Atana-Lindor and I'm a MA Fashion student at the Royal College of Arts in London.

For my final graduate project for this course, I am working on a project that involves the two Port au Prince, Haiti-based sculptors Rony Jacque and Serge Jolimeau. Both are metal workers who have refined and advanced the Haitian tradition of recycling discarded oil drums into artwork. We’ll be creating a large-scale sculptured piece that we hope can be showcased alongside my collection/presentation for my graduate exhibition happening in London at the end of June 2023.

I myself am of Haitian descent and have been working on a collection of art pieces and garments that highlight the past and current conflicts that have disrupted Haiti. An important part of my practice is collaborating with artists that I want to build a community with. Haiti has been paralyzed by gang violence and unstable government powers, which has affected the freedom of movement of people, goods, and aid. Given this situation, the artists and I are not able to cover the complete cost that will be needed for labour, materials, shipping fees and travel for the artist to come to London to present our work.

Haiti is home to many extraordinary metalwork sculptors, such as the late Georges Liautaud and Murat Brierre, who have transformed the ideas of upcycling. The metal drums, once used for transporting oil or other products near ports, are transformed into beautiful pieces of art inspired by nature, religion and everyday life. Both Rony and Serge have incredible metalwork skills, which have been recognised by galleries across the world.

This project is super important not just for myself, but to bring attention to the needed AND deserved support that is not being given to the country and their artists. The preservation of these techniques and craftsmanship is important. Along with platforming artists of the diaspora.

Image credits: Nathalie Tancrede