Freedom and Resilience in Haitian Art

Just days after false allegations about Haitian immigrants eating cats in Ohio unexpectedly dominated presidential election headlines, a new exhibition opened at the National Gallery of Art. The colorful posters that appeared at D.C. bus stops seemed like a timely, pointed refutation of political discourse, even though the exhibition had been in the works for over a year following a donation from a private collection.

Spirit and Strength: Modern Art from Haiti emphasizes freedom and resilience, often in the face of political and economic disasters. Rigaud Benoit 1965 Marketplace captures the vibrant business life of Haiti, while Lois Mailou Jones’ The Green Door presents a vision of spontaneous order in which community work is achieved through collaboration. These paintings, along with two dozen others, remind us that there is more to Haiti — and Haitians everywhere — than the headlines.

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