"Haitian Naïf Art"

 

The artists in this exhibition are called naïf (from the French naïf, 'naïve'), a term applied to the artistic current characterized by ingenuity and spontaneity, bright and contrasting colors. Haitian naïf paintings are very expressive. The artists convey their passion for life through the use of strong colors such as violet, blue, yellow and red. Haitian naïf painters are usually self-taught artists who embark on painting without prior academic training. They are not concerned with the interpretation of perspective, the precision of line or the naturalism of colors. They simplify forms, adopt a spontaneous language and create in their own way, according to their own codes.