Manifest

Manifest 

An exhibit of artwork from members of the Jacmel Arts Center in Haiti

Curated by Lee Rainboth 

Manifest [ man-uh-fest ] : to make clear or evident to the eye or the understanding; show plainly: 

The word “manifest” is one that carries a lot of gravity to the people of Haiti. Everyday life in the Caribbean nation is consumed by spiritual forces that take on physical and visual form as a common reality to the people there. These invisible forces that influence every aspect of Haitian life represent supernatural realities that manifest themselves in the bodies and actions of the Haitians who live there. The manifestation of spirits, saints, and ancestors influence everything from religion to commerce to love and more.The population derives a deep sense of identity and liberation through their traditions of Vodou and history as revolutionaries. It was these deep rooted spiritual connections that led them to become the first free Black nation as the result of a successful slave revolt in 1804. To this day it is this same ancestral power that Haitians manifest through their continued struggle for true justice and freedom from oppression. 

In this sense, “manifest” comes to mean something much more to the Haitian people. It is a word that they use every time that they take to the streets in protest. Whether they are manifesting against corruption, manifesting against violence, manifesting against poverty, or any other injustice, they are channeling powers greater than themselves through their own bodies and lives to wage revolution against anything that would threaten their sense of liberty. Manifesting in Haiti becomes a communal activity where all gather together to protect their rights as human beings who carry powerful spirits within their bodies. 

Through this exhibition of art by a collective of Haitian artists hailing from the country’s artistic capital, Jacmel, these multiple definitions of “manifest” can be seen in visual form. The art expresses through rich colors, textures, and patterns, a vibrant spiritual life, giving shape and form to otherworldly entities. These spirits represent the forces that interact with Haitians on a daily basis through prayer and ritual but also through the mundane activities of life. The art also manifests the formidable history in which the artists take so much pride. It is this history that lays the foundation for them to freely express themselves as Haitians through their art. And finally, the art also illustrates the modern day struggle for justice that Haitians engage with through protests and manifestations in the street against those in power. All together, the art in this exhibition tells the nuanced story of what it means to be Haitian today. 

Exhibiting artists: Frantz Augustave, Phoenix Jr. Badio, Joanne Celestin, Pierrot Clerissont, Vady Confident, Obelto Desire, Destin Domond, Sevenson Joseph, Astrel Joseph, Erick Lafond, Jhwins Lamitie, Jadrix Louis, Ronald Mardi, Ernst Payen, Johanne Petiote, Wilbert Jean Pierre, Jean Pierre Jacques Philippe, Lee Rainboth, Bruno Rene, Gre Ronald, Meger Samedi and Jean Paul Sylvaince.

This exhibition is curated by Lee Rainboth. Lee is a Fort Wayne resident, having moved here from Haiti in 2020. He is a visual artist himself and also serves as the Executive Director of Fort Wayne Dance Collective. Before moving to Fort Wayne, he lived in Jacmel, Haiti, for 13 years where he was the Executive Director of the Jacmel Arts Center and worked with a number of other arts-based community organizations there. Through this exhibition, he hopes to give viewers in Fort Wayne a glimpse into a beautiful and powerful community and culture that have come to mean so much to him and have a lot to teach the rest of the world.