Haitian Art from the Hughes Collection

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

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Haitian Art from the Hughes Collection
Sean Barker, curator
Amanda Martin-Hamon, curator
North Balcony, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

While in Haiti working for the United States International Communications Agency between 1972 and 1976, Mary Lou and Harry Hughes developed a deep admiration for the arts and artists of Haiti, building a collection of well over 90 works. Prior to their assignment in Haiti, the Hughes were assigned to Dahomey (now the Republic of Benin), where Mary Lou acquired a knowledge of and sensitivity to the African aesthetic that permeates Haitian art. Haitian Art from the Hughes Collection covers the range of Haiti’s leading painters and sculptors, including Rigaud Benoît, Murat Brierre, Célestin Faustin, Jasmin Joseph, Philomé Obin, André Pierre, and Robert St. Brice. The Hughes Collection includes a variety of styles, depicting historical and religious subjects and scenes of nature and everyday life.

Works from the collection have been included in exhibitions at the Musée d'Art du Collège Saint Pierre, Port-au-Prince Haiti; The Brooklyn Museum, The Milwaukee Art Center; Ramapo College of New Jersey; Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria; Davenport Museum of Art; New Orleans Museum of Art; Staatliche Kunsthalle, Berlin; City Hall, Washington D.C. and in many publications, for example Ute Stebich’s Haitian Art and Seldon Rodman’s Where Art is Joy, Haitian Art: the First Forty Years.

Organized by Amanda Martin-Hamon, the Spencer’s Public Outreach and Special Events Coordinator and Sean Barker, Education Intern.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Ernst Prophète (born 1950, active 1960s–present), but...I dreamt
Ernst Prophète (born 1950, active 1960s–present), but...I dreamt
Ernst Prophète
but...I dreamt
circa 1975
Gesner Armand (1936–2008, active 1950–2008), Doves
Gesner Armand (1936–2008, active 1950–2008), Doves
Gesner Armand
Doves
circa 1970
Rigaud S. Benoît (1911–1986), Gathering Pomegranates
Rigaud S. Benoît (1911–1986), Gathering Pomegranates
Rigaud S. Benoît
Gathering Pomegranates
1973
Wilson Bigaud (1931–2010, active circa 1949–2010), Café
Wilson Bigaud (1931–2010, active circa 1949–2010), Café
Wilson Bigaud
Café
circa 1970
Wilson Bigaud (1931–2010, active circa 1949–2010), Roses
Wilson Bigaud (1931–2010, active circa 1949–2010), Roses
Wilson Bigaud
Roses
circa 1970
Wilson Bigaud (1931–2010, active circa 1949–2010), Underwater World
Wilson Bigaud (1931–2010, active circa 1949–2010), Underwater World
Wilson Bigaud
Underwater World
date unknown
Frantz Beauvoir, Erzuli as Piper
Frantz Beauvoir, Erzuli as Piper
Frantz Beauvoir
Erzuli as Piper
1974
Murat Brierre (1938–1988), Crucifix
Murat Brierre (1938–1988), Crucifix
Murat Brierre
Crucifix
1966–1976
Charles Ermistral (Thialy) (born 1937, active 1973–present), Christ Carrying the Cross
Charles Ermistral (Thialy) (born 1937, active 1973–present), Christ Carrying the Cross
Charles Ermistral (Thialy)
Christ Carrying the Cross
1973–1976
Charles Ermistral (Thialy) (born 1937, active 1973–present), Evil Spirits
Charles Ermistral (Thialy) (born 1937, active 1973–present), Evil Spirits
Charles Ermistral (Thialy)
Evil Spirits
1973–1976
Charles Ermistral (Thialy) (born 1937, active 1973–present), King of Kings
Charles Ermistral (Thialy) (born 1937, active 1973–present), King of Kings
Charles Ermistral (Thialy)
King of Kings
1973–1976
Charles Ermistral (Thialy) (born 1937, active 1973–present), Tulips
Charles Ermistral (Thialy) (born 1937, active 1973–present), Tulips
Charles Ermistral (Thialy)
Tulips
1973–1976
Gervais Emmanuel Ducasse (1903–1988), Parade
Gervais Emmanuel Ducasse (1903–1988), Parade
Gervais Emmanuel Ducasse
Parade
circa 1940–1976
Célestin Faustin (1948–1981, active circa 1967–1981), Snake and Spider
Célestin Faustin (1948–1981, active circa 1967–1981), Snake and Spider
Célestin Faustin
Snake and Spider
1973
Célestin Faustin (1948–1981, active circa 1967–1981), Sword of Damocles
Célestin Faustin (1948–1981, active circa 1967–1981), Sword of Damocles
Célestin Faustin
Sword of Damocles
1973
Max H. Gerbier (born 1951), Bourgeois Dining
Max H. Gerbier (born 1951), Bourgeois Dining
Max H. Gerbier
Bourgeois Dining
circa 1970
Max H. Gerbier (born 1951), End of Day
Max H. Gerbier (born 1951), End of Day
Max H. Gerbier
End of Day
circa 1970
Max H. Gerbier (born 1951), Peasant Abode
Max H. Gerbier (born 1951), Peasant Abode
Max H. Gerbier
Peasant Abode
circa 1970
Jacques-Enguérrand Gourgue (1930–1996, active 1940s–1996), Rainforest Glade
Jacques-Enguérrand Gourgue (1930–1996, active 1940s–1996), Rainforest Glade
Jacques-Enguérrand Gourgue
Rainforest Glade
circa 1970
Edouard Jean (born 1953, active 1972–present), Dessalines Receives Pétion and Wife Algaïde
Edouard Jean (born 1953, active 1972–present), Dessalines Receives Pétion and Wife Algaïde
Edouard Jean
Dessalines Receives Pétion and Wife Algaïde
circa 1970
Serge Jolimeau (born 1952), Sea Goddesses
Serge Jolimeau (born 1952), Sea Goddesses
Serge Jolimeau
Sea Goddesses
1972–1976
Serge Jolimeau (born 1952), Winged Stag
Serge Jolimeau (born 1952), Winged Stag
Serge Jolimeau
Winged Stag
1972–1976
Rigaud S. Benoît (1911–1986); Antonio Joseph (1921–2016, active 1944–2016), untitled
Rigaud S. Benoît (1911–1986); Antonio Joseph (1921–2016, active 1944–2016), untitled
Rigaud S. Benoît , Antonio Joseph
untitled
circa 1980
Jasmin Joseph (1923–2005, active 1940s–2005), Blue Guitar
Jasmin Joseph (1923–2005, active 1940s–2005), Blue Guitar
Jasmin Joseph
Blue Guitar
1970
Jasmin Joseph (1923–2005, active 1940s–2005), Dancing Bears in Mardi Gras Celebration
Jasmin Joseph (1923–2005, active 1940s–2005), Dancing Bears in Mardi Gras Celebration
Jasmin Joseph
Dancing Bears in Mardi Gras Celebration
1973
Jasmin Joseph (1923–2005, active 1940s–2005), Newlyweds Under Tree of Life
Jasmin Joseph (1923–2005, active 1940s–2005), Newlyweds Under Tree of Life
Jasmin Joseph
Newlyweds Under Tree of Life
circa 1970
Jasmin Joseph (1923–2005, active 1940s–2005), Paradise
Jasmin Joseph (1923–2005, active 1940s–2005), Paradise
Jasmin Joseph
Paradise
1969
Peterson Laurent (1888–1958), Barnyard Friends
Peterson Laurent (1888–1958), Barnyard Friends
Peterson Laurent
Barnyard Friends
1970
Adam Leontus (1923–1986, active 1940s–1986), Leaves
Adam Leontus (1923–1986, active 1940s–1986), Leaves
Adam Leontus
Leaves
circa 1950–1976
Adam Leontus (1923–1986, active 1940s–1986), Tropical Bird
Adam Leontus (1923–1986, active 1940s–1986), Tropical Bird
Adam Leontus
Tropical Bird
circa 1950–1976
Penius Leriche (born 1940), Woman Leading a Blind Man
Penius Leriche (born 1940), Woman Leading a Blind Man
Penius Leriche
Woman Leading a Blind Man
circa 1970
Michèle Manuel (born 1935, active 1944–present), still life
Michèle Manuel (born 1935, active 1944–present), still life
Michèle Manuel
still life
circa 1970
Madsen Mompremier (born 1952, active 1973–present), Island
Madsen Mompremier (born 1952, active 1973–present), Island
Madsen Mompremier
Island
1973–1976
Jean Edy Morisset, Vodou Ceremony
Jean Edy Morisset, Vodou Ceremony
Jean Edy Morisset
Vodou Ceremony
circa 1970
Philomé Obin (1892–1986, active 1908–1986), Erzule's Table
Philomé Obin (1892–1986, active 1908–1986), Erzule's Table
Philomé Obin
Erzule's Table
mid 1900s
Salnave Philippe-Auguste (1908–1989, active 1958–1989), Colère (Anger)
Salnave Philippe-Auguste (1908–1989, active 1958–1989), Colère (Anger)
Salnave Philippe-Auguste
Colère (Anger)
1974
Salnave Philippe-Auguste (1908–1989, active 1958–1989), Tropical Fruits
Salnave Philippe-Auguste (1908–1989, active 1958–1989), Tropical Fruits
Salnave Philippe-Auguste
Tropical Fruits
1974
André Pierre (1914–2005, active 1940s–2004), The Horseman
André Pierre (1914–2005, active 1940s–2004), The Horseman
André Pierre
The Horseman
circa 1970
André Pierre (1914–2005, active 1940s–2004), Les Trois Esprits d'Nago (The Three Spirits of Nago)
André Pierre (1914–2005, active 1940s–2004), Les Trois Esprits d'Nago (The Three Spirits of Nago)
André Pierre
Les Trois Esprits d'Nago (The Three Spirits of Nago)
circa 1972
Vierge Pierre (born 1945), Market Day
Vierge Pierre (born 1945), Market Day
Vierge Pierre
Market Day
1968–1976
Robert St. Brice (1893–1973, active 1949–1973), Erzuli and Evil Spirits
Robert St. Brice (1893–1973, active 1949–1973), Erzuli and Evil Spirits
Robert St. Brice
Erzuli and Evil Spirits
mid 1900s
Bernard Séjourné (1947–1994), Asefi (enough daughters)
Bernard Séjourné (1947–1994), Asefi (enough daughters)
Bernard Séjourné
Asefi (enough daughters)
1975
Jean-Claude Severe (born 1950s), At the Well
Jean-Claude Severe (born 1950s), At the Well
Jean-Claude Severe
At the Well
circa 1970
Michel Sinvil (born 1949), Bosou La Croix
Michel Sinvil (born 1949), Bosou La Croix
Michel Sinvil
Bosou La Croix
1976
Edith Stephane, mother and children
Edith Stephane, mother and children
Edith Stephane
mother and children
circa 1970
St. Pierre Toussaint (1923–1985, active 1972–1985), Jou Jou
St. Pierre Toussaint (1923–1985, active 1972–1985), Jou Jou
St. Pierre Toussaint
Jou Jou
1972–1985
Gerard Valcin (1925–1988), Konbit
Gerard Valcin (1925–1988), Konbit
Gerard Valcin
Konbit
circa 1970
Pierre Joseph-Valcin (1925–2000, active 1960s–2000), Birds of a Feather
Pierre Joseph-Valcin (1925–2000, active 1960s–2000), Birds of a Feather
Pierre Joseph-Valcin
Birds of a Feather
1975
Pierre Joseph-Valcin (1925–2000, active 1960s–2000), Hunchback (Bossu)
Pierre Joseph-Valcin (1925–2000, active 1960s–2000), Hunchback (Bossu)
Pierre Joseph-Valcin
Hunchback (Bossu)
circa 1975
Paul Nemours (born 1946), Rooster
Paul Nemours (born 1946), Rooster
Paul Nemours
Rooster
1974
Pierre Joseph-Valcin (1925–2000, active 1960s–2000), Ladies Under a Tree Picking and Packing Fruit
Pierre Joseph-Valcin (1925–2000, active 1960s–2000), Ladies Under a Tree Picking and Packing Fruit
Pierre Joseph-Valcin
Ladies Under a Tree Picking and Packing Fruit
circa 1970

Events

July 14, 2007
Workshop
Haitian Art: Paintings
10:30AM–12:30PM
Gallery 317 Central Court
July 14, 2007
Workshop
Haitian Art: Paintings
1:30–3:30PM
Gallery 317 Central Court
July 16, 2007
Talk
Haitian Art: Reflections on a Unique Island Culture
2:00–4:00PM
309 Auditorium
August 23, 2007
Talk
Amanda Martin-Hamon on Haitian Art and Culture
12:15–1:15PM
Gallery 404
August 24, 2007
Talk
The Spirit of Haiti: Art, Life and Culture
Gallery 317 Central Court
August 24, 2007
Talk
The Spirit of Haiti: Art, Life, and Culture
10:00AM–12:00PM
309 Auditorium
September 6, 2007
Screening
Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti and Voodoo and the Church in Haiti
6:00–8:00PM
309 Auditorium
September 13, 2007
Talk
Meet the Collectors
10:00–11:00AM
Gallery 404

Resources

Audio

Didactic – Art Minute
Didactic – Art Minute
Episode 112 Jul-2007, Amanda Martin-Hamon I’m David Cateforis with another Art Minute from the Spencer Museum of Art. Lawrence residents Harry and Mary Lou Hughes lived in Haiti from 1972 to 1976, where Harry served as a Public Affairs Officer for the American Embassy. They developed a deep admiration for the nation’s art, and eventually built a collection of nearly 100 Haitian works, a selection of which is on view at the Spencer through September 16. The Hughes Collection contains works by the so-called first and second generation of artists whose continuing creative evolution is often associated with the Centre d’Art, founded in 1944 in the capital city, Port-au-Prince. And it was at the Centre d’Art-a space where artists could express themselves freely, gain instruction, and exhibit their work-that Mary Lou Hughes became acquainted with many of the painters and sculptors whose creations she would collect. The paintings and sculptures in the Spencer exhibition-most of them produced before and during the Hughes’ residence in Haiti in the 1970s-exhibit a variety of styles, as well as a range of subject matter, from the religious and historical to scenes of nature and everyday life. With thanks to Amanda Martin-Hamon for her text, from the Spencer Museum of Art, I’m David Cateforis.

Documents

Media Release