Description
Antoine Smith, born on November 17, 1943, in the secluded village of Soissons-la-Montagne, hails from a lineage of talented painters, including Denis Smith, Jocelyne Smith, also known as Oceli, and his namesake Antoine Smith. As a key figure in the second wave of the Saint-Soleil artistic movement, Smith’s artistic journey was deeply influenced by his familial ties and cultural heritage.
In 1973, Smith embarked on his artistic career under the mentorship of Jean-Claude Garoute, widely known as Tiga. Working closely with his cousin, Saint-Jacques Smith, he honed his craft within the Saint-Soleil Movement, a collective dedicated to fostering self-taught artists in Haiti. The movement, initiated by Tiga, offered aspiring painters access to essential materials and a creative space to develop their unique artistic expressions. The Saint-Soleil artists, many of whom came from rural backgrounds, infused their works with elements of Vodou symbolism and Haitian folklore, crafting a distinctive and mesmerizing visual language.
Smith’s talent earned him international recognition, leading to his participation in significant cultural events. In 1977, alongside 33 fellow Saint-Soleil artists, he was invited by French Minister of Culture, Jacques Long, to showcase his work at the Festival of Theater in Nancy, France. Two years later, in 1979, he joined 12 other artists from the movement in Poland for an international seminar on theater and Vodou, orchestrated by Maud Robart, Tiga, and Jerzy Gratowski. These experiences expanded Smith’s artistic vision and strengthened his ties to the global art community.
Throughout his life, Antoine Smith remained dedicated to his artistic lineage, passing down his passion for painting to the next generation. Three of his nine children—Wagner, Juler, and Flambert—followed in his footsteps, continuing the family’s artistic legacy. His contributions to Haitian art and his role within the Saint-Soleil Movement cement his place in history as an artist whose work bridges the realms of spirituality, culture, and imagination.
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