Art of Haiti

Students saw the video, Haitian Visions (from Crizmac Art and Cultural Education Materials) about the history, people and art of Haiti. They were intrigued by the colorful folk art of Haiti.

Read the questions. Click on underlined words to go to the web sites. You do not need to answer the questions in any particular order. (email Judy Decker if you need this lesson updated to use with your students)
Compare to work of Henri Rousseau.

1.	History of Haitian art What can the art of Haiti tell us about the people who created it? What does it tell you about the land of Haiti? Also see History of Haitian Art
2.	Electric Gallery Haitian Wing Select a favorite painting from one of the Haitian artists to use as inspiration for your jungle. Which one did you select (artist and title, please) and why? Look for additional work by the artist you selected. Joel Gauthier is one of my favorites. I also like Jacques Valmidor. http://www.egallery.com/coll/haitian.php
3.	The Art of Haiti - Medalia Art -- This site has some "fine art" work of Haitian masters. Compare some of the works of the masters to the "folk art" from the previous site. What are some common subject matter or themes chosen by the Haitian artists? Contrast the different styles of Haitian art (select two styles to compare and contrast) See History of Haiti
4.	Look at the Steel Drum Sculptures. How are they similar to the folk art painting? How are they different? Look at the other art and folk art on this site. What are some different media used?
5.	Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou American Museum of Natural History exhibit. What can you find out about the religious art of Haiti from this site? Why is religion important? How did their religion develop? Learn about history and culture. See Tools of Worship for flags. Learn about the history of Vodou flags (no images) Learn more about Haitian Vodou Flags (many links to images)
6.	Compare the paintings and crafts of Haiti to your own drawing. How are they similar? What characteristics do you see in both? (teachers may want to view lesson plan) What similar beliefs and values are you representing?
7.	Study the paintings of French artist, Henri Rousseau (scroll down to links - click on title). What similarities do you see between the Haitian paintings and those by Rousseau. Enjoy these close-up views of Tropical Forest with Monkeys
8.	Web Museum Biography of Henri Rousseau—view some of his work (thumbnails link to larger images)
9.	View In a Tropical Forest: Fight Between a Tiger and a Bull, from The Hermitage at St. Petersburg (Carol Gerten Fine Art site) Compare this to the image on Mark Harden's site. Look closely -- What is different? Are these the same paintings? Now compare them to the one at The Cleveland Museum of Art. Learn more about Henri Rousseau *See Edward Hicks Peaceable Kingdom* Compare to this Peaceable Kingdom version at Albright Knox.**
10.	(On your own) Visit any of these sites for further study into Art of Haiti Haitian Art Co Key West. Florida. One of the largest collections of Haitian art outside of Haiti. See various styles of art. List of artists available. Gallery of West Indian Art Haitian Art, Jamaican Art and Cuban Art and hand -painted, hand-carved wooden furniture and art and craft. See these interesting works showing use of pattern. The Haitian Art Collection A wonderful and diverse selection of the art of Haiti in the form of, Vodou flags, metal sculptures and interesting collectables. Artist catalog (click on any name to explore). Haitian Art Greenport, New York. Selected artists with brief biography for each artist presented. Haitian Painting.com Summit New Jersey. List of artists -- Metals- Steel drum art -- History of Haitian art -- More on the history of Haiti. Haitian Art, Cuban and Caribbean Artists Haitian paintings - click thumbnails. ArtMedia- Haiti -- historical and timely information on the internationally renowned Haitian art scene. Here you will find a wide and varied selection of Haitian Art as well as a vast amount of documentation on Haitian Art and the Artist (site was down last I checked)
11.	Learn about Haitian Creole.

NOTE TO TEACHERS: Preview these sites and let me know if links are broken or misdirected. Email address on home page. Give me a little lead time before you need this page with students if work needs to be done.

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