Cap-Haïtien’s Young Painters Contest showcases bold artistic interpretations of Haiti’s history

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Under the golden glow of Cap-Haïtien’s Brise de Mer restaurant, splashes of red and blue leaped from canvases, commanding attention. The colors, a nod to the Haitian flag, set the tone for the second edition of the Young Painters Contest on Feb. 27. The competition, themed “Nos Racines” or “Our Roots,” encouraged artists to explore Haitian identity through history and spirituality.

Portraits of Toussaint Louverture and other revolutionaries were depicted climbing trees or painted onto tree trunks, their figures intertwined with Haiti’s complex past. The paintings, along with the setting, captivated attendees.

But when the judges announced the winner, it wasn’t one of the bold, patriotic works that took the top prize. Instead, a quiet, enigmatic piece won the day. Louidenot Jean-François, 24, captured first place with a painting that defied expectations: a subdued portrait of Louverture framed by a Vodou drum and a black-and-orange yin-yang-like circle.

“I tried to work as simply as possible to be more direct,” Jean-François said, his boyish face framed by dreadlocks falling over his forehead as he studied his work.

Four vèvè symbols—sacred geometric designs representing Vodou spirits—floated within the composition, their simplicity concealing layers of cultural depth and meaning.

“But inside the simplicity, there’s a complexity,” Jean-François added. “I tried to synchronize, tried to show the similarity between Haiti’s history and its culture, which is Vodou.”

Many contestants in the competition leaned into revolutionary imagery, but Jean-François set himself apart by centering Vodou, a force deeply embedded in Haiti’s foundation. His use of deep purple, black, and glowing orange gave the piece a mystical, almost hypnotic quality.

For his winning entry, Jean-François is set to receive $1,000 from event organizer Musée des Beaux-Arts du Cap-Haïtien. Edlyn Jean-Louis, last year’s champion, placed second with a $600 prize, while his younger brother, James Jean-Louis, secured third place with a $400 award. The contest featured 14 participants.

The awards ceremony drew a crowd of 80, their faces reflecting the vivid tone of the paintings around them. As attendees admired the works, some gravitated toward Jean-François’s winning piece with curiosity—particularly the women—and at times, confusion. Viewers surrounded him, asking questions, offering interpretations, and trying to decode the meaning behind his minimalist yet layered approach.

Jean-François, who has only been painting for four years, is no stranger to the spotlight. Last May, he won another contest organized by the Organization for the Management of the Destination of Northern Haiti (OGDNH), and in the Young Painters Contest’s inaugural edition, he took home a special prize.

“I’m filled with pride,” he said. “Each time I win, it pushes me to work harder. It shows that my effort, my vision, is being recognized.”

Here are some images from the Young Painters Contest’s exposition at the Brise de Mer restaurant in Cap-Haïtien on Feb. 27.

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