Edens Cathyl, one of two men in the mostly women Sant Atizana, just sent us some new drawings. They’re different from his past pictures and, to me, represent his long-time struggle between evangelical Christianity and the Vodou that surrounded him since birth. Edens, bone thin, 6’5,’’ high, with long eyelashes, long limbs and a languid gait, has an arresting, unschooled talent. He combines bold compositions and dynamic gestures with minute, fastidious detail. He also has a poet’s propensity to brood over big, unsolvable issues like heaven and hell. Now 26, he began working with us as an abused 13-year-old when Wellfleet designer Deidre Oringer taught several Matènwa students to make jewelry. He also learned to print and paint but soon...
Arielle and I got back from Haiti a few weeks ago and I wanted to tell you a little bit about the visit, which, as usual, had its dramas and pleasures. This was a very short trip, mostly to bring more materials and celebrate with the silk artists who had been awarded a very large order from the Fetzer Institute. The organization intends to give the scarves as gifts to participants during their summit meeting in Assisi, Italy. One evening we were approached by a group of local neighbors, all men, who wanted to tell us about their organization and its goals. We sat down together, the rose-colored walls of my room, lit by oil lamps, cast everyone in...
A few days ago Arielle Berrick and I returned from our annual summer stay in Matènwa. We brought new work from the artists and left them with new designs to master. Good things had happened. The artists finished their biggest order yet from the Fetzer Institute. The Gason Kouraj (“Courageous Men”) began, with our funding, to repair the failing road with shovels and pick axes. The scarf painters planned a journey to the main island where they were invited to preform their grass roots theater. But this was one of our sadder visits. Some months ago we’d raised some emergency funds for the family of one of our best-loved silk painters and my longest friend in Matènwa, Venez Kasimir. Venez...
Several years ago the director of the local school together with an American artist tried to find a way to tap the great creativity of the women of Matènwa.
Several years ago the director of the local school together with an American artist tried to find a way to tap the great creativity of the women of Matènwa. Several years ago the director of the local school together with an American artist tried to find a way to tap the great creativity of the women of Matènwa.
Find a way to tap the great creativity of the women of Matènwa with an American artist tried to find a way to tap the great creativity of the women of Matènwa. Several years ago the director of the local school together with an American artist tried to find a way to tap the great creativity of the women of Matènwa. Several years ago the director of the local school together with an American artist tried to find a way to tap the great creativity of the women of Matènwa. Several years ago the director of the local school together with an American artist tried to find a way to tap the great creativity of the women of Matènwa. Several...
