Marie Arago

Portraits: Haiiti

  • Michèle Manuel began drawing in Haiti, then went to San Juan, Puerto Rico for courses at the Academy of Drawing and Painting in 1953. The following year she studied at the University of Rochester. From 1970 on, she has exhibited in Haiti, the United States, in South America and in Europe. In 1981 her painting titled “The Market” was selected to be reproduced as a postage stamp. She is also a founding member of a group of Women Painters in Haiti.
  • Jeunesse Dubois, 64Jeunesse was born and raised in Kabik. She lives with her daughter and grandchildren. She sells coffee for a living. She buys coffee that comes from the mountains above her home, roasts it, grinds it and then sells it to people in her community.
  • Amania Dèrrile, 60 years oldBorn in the city of Petit Goave, she now lives in Port-au-Prince in Cite Soleil.She has ten children. Here she is shown with her granddaughter Widline and her great-grandson who she helps take care of.
  • Etienne, 70Works repairing shoes in Marigot where he grew up and has always lived.
  • Vivian Gauthier, 96 Famed dancer and teacher of both Haitian Fokloric Dance and Ballet, shown at her home in downtown Port- au-Prince. She has been a professional dancer and teacher for 75 years and continues to to perform,train and assist young dancers.
  • Mr and Mrs Edwan AndresMr. and Mrs Edwan Andres live on the hillside community of Tesser, outside of Cayes Jacmel. Mrs. Andres works making bags out of palm that are used to go to market. Mr. Andres goes out almost every day to get vegetables. They both told me that they are very tired but they have no one to help them. They have one son lives with them but after a boating accident, he lost his mental capability. The rest of their children moved away, so they manage on their own.They were not sure exactly of their age but when I asked them how long they had been married they told me that they got married when the first group of missionaries came to the area, when Francois Duvalier was president. I asked them if they remembered when they met, or the first time they saw each other and they laughed and both said “we have always known each other!” They did not tell me their age.
  • Morice and Servilie HyppolyteMorice and Servilie have been married for sixty two years. They did not tell me their age. They were both born and raised in Marigot and have always lived there. Morice tells me that he does not like to visit Port-au- Prince. He always worked as a gardener and fisherman but has a back injury that is preventing him from working now. Morice and Servilie have children, grandchildren and extended family that help them. When I asked them what makes a marriage last for 62 years they told me “ health, love, family and the grace of God.”
  • Eve Laurent, 63Eva lives in a small community called Sapoti. She works as a mid-wife and lives with her three sons. Her mother was a mid- wife, as was her grandmother. She does not have a daughter to continue the tradition in her family.
  • Serge Jolimeau lives and works in Croix des Bouquet where he was born in 1952. He is one of Haiti’s most renown metal sculptors and his work has been exhibited and collected internationally. His sculptures are made of recycled materials and he provides employment for artisans in his community.
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