La Matrone
Kaiser Louis
Ma Mère, L'hémérocalle
Artist’s Statement
“Ma Mère, L'hémérocalle”—This piece is the first in a two-part series focused on my parents. Both pieces have French titles since both of my parents speak French as their first language. When I made these pieces I was experimenting with various symbolic and representative elements, such as flowers and different printing processes. For example, I utilized acrylic gel transfers because the process of uncovering the print mirrors the process of looking deeper at an individual's personal identity. The title translates to “My Mother, The Day Lily”, and the day lily is a symbol of maternal love and joy.
As the child of an immigrant, I began to think about how my father's culture has impacted him as an individual, I then began to think about my own experiences as a Haitian-American, and I thought, “How can I explore and express the layers of my cultural and personal identity through cultural and historical influences?” I explored themes such as history, culture, and identity through the use of family photos. Each individual is impacted in some way by their culture, and culture has a cogent impact on a person's personal identity and I explored the overlay between the two.
About the artist
Photo courtesy of Kaiser Louis
Kaiser Louis is a Haitian-American artist investigating his past. Using vintage photos of his family as inspiration, he prints said photos onto Clayboard and layers a variety of media on top—Charpak Markers, ink, colored pencils, watercolor, etc. His work is an exploration of how an individual’s cultural and personal identity are interlocked—one cannot be fully explored without considering the other. In every piece of artwork that he creates, there are layers of history and meaning that serve to further the conceptual strength of the work. Seemingly random elements are products of the hours of studying, research, and personal reflection, and are there to serve specific and distinct purposes.
“Where were we; Where are we now; and Where are we going...Who were we; who are we now, and who will we be?”
Favorite Artists : Kerry James Marshall,Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Alfred Amadu Conteh, Kehinde Wiley, Riccardo Vecchio