Product Description

Once little known outside of Haiti, Vodou flags (drapo Vodou), dazzling in color and imagery, have become popular commodities in the international art market. Works by such notable Haitian artists as Silva Joseph, Antoine Oleyant, and Yves Telemak now grace the walls of museums, art galleries, and private homes throughout the world. Shimmering with sequins and reflected light, they capture the attention of Vodou practitioners and art lovers alike.

This book about Vodou flags and flagmakers is a striking revelation of the gods (Iwa) that inhabit the Vodou spirit world. The sequined works pictured here combine and juxtapose African symbols with images from Europe and the Americas and form a rich mosaic of ritual art.

Inspired by myths, legends, and unique personal visions, the artists of Vodou flags interweave sacred, time-honored designs with contemporary images as they produce captivating works that are both ancient and modern. Their flags, incorporating ritual drawings, Masonic symbols, and pictures of mermaids and Catholic saints, offer viewers an encounter with the aesthetics, symbolism, and social implications of Vodou.

The spiritual realm reflected in the flags is not the dark, frightening place of black magic and superstition that is stereotyped in popular culture. Instead, drapo exemplify the beauty, elegance, and enduring embrace of gods and ancestors in their present manifestations. The flags are the artists' visual testimonials that the Iwa are present and active in the lives of Vodou practitioners.

Patrick Arthur Polk serves as the museum scientist and archivist for the UCLA Folk-lore and Mythology Program.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1091026 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 72 pages

From the Inside Flap
A celebration of a genre of Haitian art inspired by myths, legends, and unique personal visions

Customer Reviews

Haitian Vodou review
This book displays the wonderful art and tradition of Haitian sequined prayer flags. The layout of the book with it's full color reproductions is very well done. The text of the book beautifully describes the history and aspects of vodou religeon, in a way that speaks to all people who are touched by art and culture. I highly recomend this book especially to those interested in folk art and Haitian culture.

Gorgeous and thoughtful
If you're interested in the art, religion, or culture of Haiti, this book is fabulous! It shows clear links between Catholic and Vodou imagery and themes, and the art is inspiring. The color photos are rich & wonderful, and consistent enough to provide a clear understanding of Haitian and Vodou artistic/spiritual traditions. In this case, a picture (or pictures in this book anyway) are worth more than 1000 words. If you're interested in Vodou and/or folk arts of the Caribbean, this book is a worthwhile purchase.

Haitian Vodou review
This book displays the wonderful art and tradition of Haitian sequined prayer flags. The layout of the book with it's full color reproductions is very well done. The text of the book beautifully describes the history and aspects of vodou religeon, in a way that speaks to all people who are touched by art and culture. I highly recomend this book especially to those interested in folk art and Haitian culture.