
Haitian
Gabriel Bien-Aime
Haiti b. 1951Untitled (Tree Spirit) 90.0034
Croix-des-Bouquets is famous for its artists and metal artwork. Gabriel Bien-Aimé was born there and studied metalwork with Janvier LouisJuste of the LouisJuste family of sculptors. This art form was started in Croix-des-Bouquets by George Liautuad, now considered the master of Haitian metal sculpture. In vodou, the lwa (spirits), which are at the center of the religion, are closely linked with nature, and are believed to inhabit springs, rivers, and trees. The lwa (spirits) are also conceptualized and represented in human and non-human forms. This tree spirit has a human face and a vine-like body that encircles it.
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