No Limits: A Selection of Works from the Haitian Art Co. at FKCC

The Library Gallery at Florida Keys Community College will begin hosting a special exhibition of Haitian Art that will be sure to entice a wide audience. Haitian Art Company co-owner Boris Kravitz and his wife and gallery manager Marie Coine have shared their collection of refined folk art with the college from Feb. 21 through April 3. A reception is planned for Feb. 28 beginning at 5 p.m.

Dr. Lynne Bentley-Kemp’s Gallery and Display students have been busy with the planning and the hanging of the show and in the process have learned a great deal about the political and spiritual history of Haiti. There will be a selection of prominent Haitian artists represented. The works of artists like Carlo Jean- Jacques, Agathe Aladin, Murat St. Vil, Jean Sylvestre, Chrysler Bruno and Jean Albert Bernard have been capturing the imaginations of the students as they assemble the exhibit.

The paintings of Voltaire Hector have had a significant impact on the students. Hector is considered one of the best contemporary Haitian folk artists. His paintings are generally autobiographical, often accompanied by a line or two of narrative text. They reflect his experience of daily Haitian life: family life, Voudou ceremonies and icons, medical procedures, political events - especially the events following the fall of Aristide, are important elements of his work and have given the Gallery class extensive insight into the political history of Haiti.

Frantz Zephirin is a featured artist whose work is characterized by its bright colors, patterns, tightly compacted compositions; and by the human figures with animal heads, which represent his cynicism for the ruling body. His inspiration comes from Haitian history, politics, the bible, and vodou. The title of the exhibit comes from Zephirin’s characterization of his art. “There are no limits” sums up the overall effect of the show.

Many of the artists in the show reveal a world that is fanciful and spiritual. The influence of Vodou is powerful and all of the works convey a sense of wonder. Some of the most arresting and beautiful imagery in Haitian painting comes directly from Vodou. There are approximately 80 original works of art on display that include metal sculpture made from oil drums, an intricately beaded spirit flag and a selection of paintings that will enlighten and delight everyone who comes out to visit FKCC’s Library Gallery.

The Library is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The library is upstairs over the main office in Building A at the Key West Campus, 5901 College Road. The library's main number is 809-3194.

"No one lives of the flesh.
Everyone lives of the spirit."
-Andre Pierre