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Myrland Constant has been creating drapo, or Vodou flags, for over 35 years, pushing the boundaries of this traditional Haitian art form. Over that time her pieces have grown to immense proportions, with some of the 17 works in the exhibition spanning more than 7 feet. Constant learned the beading techniques she uses from her mother, who worked alongside her daughter in a wedding dress factory in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Later as her art career flourished, Constant hired former factory employees to help bring her large-scale creations to life.
Inspired to explore what she calls “painting with beads” after leaving the factory, Constant fills her vibrant scenes with Lwa—spirit entities central to Vodou that influence the natural world. She learned about the Lwa from her father, a respected ougan (Vodou priest).
Unlike traditional drapo used in Vodou ceremonies and temple decorations, Constant’s expansive and painterly flags are created for galleries and museums, offering a contemporary twist on this deeply rooted tradition.
Thursday February 6th