Saturday, March 31, 2018

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Interview with Charles Jerry about Veve Voodoo Magic Symbols from Haiti

MJ. Give me a background of who you are?

CJ: I’m Charles Jerry. I was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti. I’m 19 years old, and I’m an artist who paints the story of Voodoo magic black Haitian.

MJ. How did you first become involved with art?

CJ: I have been involved with art since I was kid.  I had a love for art and after the 7th of November 2015, I participated in a festival artistic which is named "Ghetto Biennial." This festival was based on the culture of Haiti which is Voodoo. It’s the reason this style of  Haitian art is based on the artists story of Voodoo magic black Haitian.

MJ. Your paintings seem to be filled with symbols do you like to explain them, or keep them as a mystery?

CJ: Each my paintings represent something from Haitian Voodoo magic because I get inspiration from my culture to make my paintings.

MJ. What is the art scene in Haiti like?

CJ: On the 1st of November there is a festival where families congregate to remember loved ones who have passed away by celebrating their death with face-painting, storytelling and food offerings. In Haiti, the celebrations centre around honoring the Haitian Voodoo spirits of Baron Samdi and Gede. Samdi, the head of the Gede family, is one of the Loa of Haitian Voodoo and is often depicted wearing a top hat, black tuxedo, dark glasses, with skin resembling a corpse

MJ. Can you explain the Veve symbols and how they affect your art?

CJ: Each veve I make represents something in my work, and they are give chance, if you believe on them, they can help you make some success in yourself.

MJ. Your art seems very spiritual. Can you talk about the spirituality behind your art?

CJ: Each my paintings have different spirituality behind them, and I do each of my paintings on Voodoo. it’s the reason each represent a spirit from Voodoo Haitian.

MJ. Your art also seems very personal. How do you think it relates to the global Internet art scene online?

CJ: I think it relates with global Internet art scene because Haitian Voodoo magic is very poweful. It’s something alot of people woldwide want to know something about.

MJ. Where would you like to take your art in the future? Do you have gallery representation?

CJ: I would like in the future for my paintings to get worldwide exposure and make alot people learn about my work, and make half of the people in the world know about my culture which is the story of Voodoo magic black Haitian.

I have 3 gallerys that represent me already:
1. Gallery Polysemie in France,
2. Gallery Exodo in Peurto Rico,
3. Gallery Lionne in France at Marseille.
 
Here is Charles' Facebook page if you would like to contact him.