15" Long Sequined Mermaid Voodoo Flag Wall Hanging Haitian Folk Art by George Valris Drapo
This gorgeous wall hanging is what is called a "voodoo flag," and it is the most beloved and collected of all Haitian art forms. Called "drapo vodou" these pieces come from the Haitian practice of the voodoo religion, which is an evolution of traditional African practices brought to Haiti by slaves mixed with the Catholicism and Christianity of slave owners from the Colonial Era. The earliest voodoo flags were made by voodoo priests and their followers, and they would be displayed in sanctuaries and carried during ceremonies. Flags depict symbols that have different meanings, such as deities associated with saints or those associated with love, farming, and many other icons. This particular banner is La Sirene, the Mermaid, and she is a deity of the seas, which in Haiti are important to daily life. She also represents wealth, and is the patron of music. It was made by renowned Haitian artist Georges Valris--which we know from his signature in the top right hand corner--born in 1953 in Cavaillon, Haiti. He is not a houngan (priest) but is rather a devout Catholic, and he depicts flags with angels and saints. For this flag, as with most, he used silky background fabric onto which he sewed hundreds of sequins and beads. Larger flags can take weeks to complete, and a smaller one like this will still take days. Valris's works have been exhibited at the UCLA Fowler Museum of Culture History, American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, and International Folk Art Market at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, among other institutions. His work is published in Sequin Artists of Haiti (Girouard, 1994), Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou (Cosentino, 1995), and Spirits in Sequins (Josephson, 2007). He is represented by several galleries, and his larger flags can easily sell for $1000 or more.
Measures about 13" across by just over 15" tall. The top has an open seam where a dowel has been placed to hang the flag. It could also be framed, although I would frame it under glass. This was likely purchased circa 1980s and is in quite good condition.
La Sirena, powerful icon in Caribbean and Latin American culture.
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Please convo with questions, or call (505) 369-6865. Will return your call as soon as possible.
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See all my other folk art: https://romaarellano.com/shop/17770625/latin-world-folk-art
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