Haitian

Gesner Abelard

Haiti b. 1922
Chasses du Paradis (Expulsion from Paradise) 67.0001

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Gesner Abelard was born in Port-au-Prince. Before becoming a painter, he worked as a mechanic and then a detective. He also studied sculpture under fellow Haitian, Uberman Charles. Abelard joined the Centre d'Art in 1946 at the invitation of director DeWitt Peters, and began to paint. Although the Expulsion from Paradise is a common subject in Haitian artwork, Abelard's depiction is unique. The artist's use of a vibrant blue adds to the visual tension created by the severity of the situation in this biblical story. Abelard also demonstrates his characteristic mixture of various birds and foliage.

 

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