Painter Mathias Thébaud critiques and celebrates Haiti, one artwork at a time 

PORT-AU-PRINCE — In his rising portfolio of artworks wealthy with symbolism, artist Mathias Junior David Thébaud’s Péripéties stands out. Within the portray of a two-headed toubiyon, Creole for whirlwind, Thébaud locations crimson flames to characterize the delicate efforts of Haitians trapped in a rustic dominated by one other drive, the gangs. 

“The inspiration got here to me from the challenges I confronted to proceed doing my work within the capital,” Thébaud, 22, defined in a cellphone interview on Dec. 4, the identical weekend a gang massacred practically 200 individuals within the metropolis.

“Even within the face of obstacles, it’s attainable to dream huge and work in direction of your aspirations,” he mentioned.

Within the shadow of Haiti’s turmoil, Thébaud himself paints a portrait of the twin forces — wrestle and resilience — which have outlined life for thus many. Starting from serene depictions of Haiti’s landscapes to poignant portrayals of hardships, his paintings bridges Haiti’s vibrant tradition with its present struggles, each critiquing and celebrating. 

Regardless of the pervasive violence and instability, Haiti’s inventive spirit endures in individuals like Thébaud, creatives who navigate and problem their atmosphere to until the nation’s cultural richness.

“I can let you know, each time I work on a portray, it’s all the time an immense pleasure,” Thébaud says. “Nonetheless, the present state of affairs within the nation deeply impacts me, as a younger artist.”

An early dedication to artwork 

Thébaud, the eldest of three youngsters, grew up in a neighborhood of Pétion-Ville, surrounded by creativity within the Nérette neighborhood, within the commune of Pétion-Ville. His father David Thébaud, a sculptor, sparked the boy’s curiosity for artwork early on. 

“Drawing has all the time been a part of my life. Watching my father, an artist himself, sparked my curiosity for artwork,” Thébaud remembers. 

As childhood turned marked by instability and separation on account of household modifications, artwork turned his sanctuary. Sketchbooks supplied solace amid the chaos, a spot to think about and create freely. At his Pétion-Ville college, academics and mentors instilled in Thébaud the worth of perseverance and schooling.

In 2010, a devastating 12 months for Haiti after the calamitous earthquake, he joined Espwa Lavi Pou Timoun Yo (ELT), an inventive establishment in Pétion-Ville. There, he explored portray and sculpture, although drawing remained his truest type of expression. ELT additionally launched Thébaud to a community of different younger artists, reworking his private ardour into knowledgeable pursuit. 

 “After I created my first piece, I felt immense pleasure and realized this expertise was actually inside me,” he says.

Inspiration behind the canvas

Immediately, violence in Haiti’s capital spares nobody or livelihood, together with artists. As soon as ubiquitous, exhibitions have grow to be practically inconceivable as rising violence drives away purchasers, stifling visibility for creatives. 

“Immediately, it is rather troublesome for us, younger artists, individuals now not purchase artwork” Thébaud says. 

Wislin Monfilston, a good friend, echoes the fact. 

“Works lack visibility as a result of exhibitions can’t be held like earlier than,” Monfilston laments.

But, Thébaud and his cohort stay undeterred, channeling these hardships into artwork. One hanging piece by Thebaud depicts a boiling pot, its radiating warmth a visceral reminder of the starvation and meals insecurity that stay painfully persistent for a lot of Haitian households.

To encourage fellow Haitians to embrace their id and shared achievements, he usually creates items similar to Victoire, Creole for Victory. The portray features a lady, whose cranium he depicts as a weapon, a clenched fist representing resistance and victory, and the nation’s iconic bicolor flag, a testomony to Haiti as the primary free Black republic.

For Thébaud, this illustration carries a message of hope: that future generations can reclaim and redefine the legacy of their ancestors. 

Thébaud’s artwork additionally conjures Haiti’s potential for transformation. In one other portray, he calls consideration to the pressing want for environmental preservation, critiquing the poor administration that has exacerbated hardships for the Haitian individuals. 

Inspiration out entrance and on the scene 

Although younger, Thébaud serves as vp of the “Haitian Ruby Undertaking,” a company targeted on empowering younger individuals by means of group service and private growth. He’s additionally co-founder of Zo Design, a small enterprise specializing in printing providers, that blends self-discipline, creativity and goal to encourage his community.

With each brushstroke, Thébaud hopes he’s crafting a future the place Haitian artwork is widely known internationally. 

“I need Haitian artwork and images to reclaim their rightful place on the worldwide stage,” Thébaud says. 

Others have taken discover of his efforts.

“His work displays power and willpower and conjures up me in some ways,” mentioned Louis Roosevelt, who has recognized Thébaud since elementary college.  “Regardless of the challenges, he stays targeted on utilizing artwork to uplift Haitian tradition and advocate for justice.” 

Thébaud’s expertise is already incomes him recognition on the native artwork scene. In January 2024, his work was featured at Ann Viv Ansanm, “Let’s Stay Collectively” in Creole, an artwork competition in Saint-Michel de l’Attalaye. It helped solidify his presence in Haiti’s inventive panorama. 

“I’ve little question that his expertise will make Haiti proud,” Monfilston mentioned. 

Thébaud’s participation in Artisanat en Fête, considered one of Haiti’s premier inventive showcases, alongside his father in 2011 stays his most vital milestone but. 

“It was a giant achievement, and there might be extra,” he says. “I haven’t totally met my expectations but.”

Listed here are some images of the works by artisans and artists that had been displayed on the market on the 18th version of Artisanat en Fête.