Artist's Biography
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Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (W.I.) on August 11, 1954, Haitian Artist, Yvon Fleurival is a cultural educator and tradition bearer. Through his work he seeks to emulate the internal synergy of a dreamer and an abundance of sounds and colors to create a rhapsody exemplifying the spirit of Haitian culrure. His art attempts to extrapolate sheer emotion while displaying very intimate feelings from withing the community. Fleurival has lived in the United States for 16 years, and wants to start an international association of Haitian artists in order to promoted Haitian art in this country. Fleurival believes that art can help give people an idea of a place even if they haven't been there.
He received a BA in Fine Arts from the University of Maryland and a MA in Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art. He has received numerous awards and grants induding: "The Creative and Performing Art Award (Maryland University), the Maryland National Capital and Planning Commission (Individual Artist Award), and a National Museum of American History (Smithsonian Institution) Grant. His work is exhibited throughout Washington D.C. such as,The Gateway Art District, the National Museum of Art, Saint Lucia and the West Gallery at the University of Maryland College Park.
An image of deep blue skies above a Caribbean blue sea surrounded by calming green palm trees is home for one Haitian-born artist. Incorporating that image with his new surroundings in the United States is what makes yvon Fleurival’s art unique and he hopes to gather more thriving Haitian artists in the county to form an organization.
"I want to bring a bond between members of the community. There are a lot of different cultures in Prince George’s County and I want to share ours (through art),” Fleurival said.
The National Association of Haitian Art in Prince George’s County, a nonprofit dedicated to presenting local Haitian artists work, is Fleurival’s goal. Classic Touch Ltd., a home based art gallery owned A. Allen, a Lanham art consultant, has already formed a partnership with Fleurival to showcase and represent the art.
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“There are many Haitian artists in Prince George’s County, but we just have to find them,” Allen said. Allen will collect and sell the art as well as organize showcasing events around the metropolitan area." |
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Allen said Haitian art’s vibrant colors and unorthodox subject matters make it fresh and innovative.“There is just a shock value in the way it is presented,” she said. Fleurival who received his bachelor’s and a master degree in Fine arts from the University Maryland in College Park,and is also a bass player,something he says he incorporates into his abstract art.
“When I paint, it is like playing music. I just start playing the brush like you play a guitar,” he said. “They are magical strokes. I don’t even start with a subject, like musical notes the just come to me.”
The final project turns into shapes, fruits and people in intense colors. Haitian native and artist Joseph Arnold said he has always liked to work with his hands and looks forward to joining the organization to display his talents. “I think it will happen very soon,” said the Mount Rainer resident, who is a part-time art student at the University of Maryland in College Park and a full-time welder. “We just want to do something to present Haitian art.”
As Yvon Fleurival is a cultural educator and tradition bearer, he surely demonstrates through his work that he is seeking to emulate the internal synergy of a dreamer and an abundance of sounds and colrs to create a rhapsody exemplifying the spirit of the Haitian culture. Thus, his art has attempt to extrapolate feelings from within the community and the entire world.