Raphael Denis

Raphael Denis studied painting, sculpture and ceramic when he was a member of several Haitian Art organizations: the Foyer des Arts Plastiques, Brochette, and the Société Nationale d’Art Dramatique.  He was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and has lived in the US for decades.  He does not subscribe to the idea of primitive art.  On the contrary, he believes that artists must be taught drawing, use of colors, and forms.  Raphael Denis’ style is diverse, but he always stays close to his roots and his homeland remains present in his art.  He often portrays Haitian people set in Haitian background easily recognizable by the articles of clothing, the postures, and the objects surrounding them.  Yet he uses a modern style of painting inspired by the masters.  This is evident in “Women,” where the style of drawing is reminiscent of modern paintings, but the head scarf and the water pitchers in the background are hinting of Caribbean life.  Through the drawing, the colors, the shapes, in the subtle ways only an artist can achieve, Denis also makes us feel the weight of life bearing on these women.  Raphael Denis’ work has been exhibited in Haiti and the USA.

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