Kilti Exhibition

Arts Warehouse is pleased to present Kilti, Selections from the Dr. Jacques Bartoli Collection of Haitian Art.
May 5th – June 24th, 2023
Arts Warehouse

Virtual Exhibition Catalog

Kilti, or “culture” in French, is an exhibition of selections from the Dr. Jacques Bartoli Collection of Haitian Art. This unique, colorful, and historical exhibition is on view May 5th – June 24th, 2023 at Arts Warehouse and coincides with Haitian Heritage Month, celebrated annually in May. The exhibition features over 40 works including paintings as well as hand embellished voodoo flags. The artists in the collection include notable Haitian artists from the 20th century such as Wilson Bigaud, Louisiane St. Fleurant, and Maxon, as well as artists unknown beyond their immediate communities. One room of the exhibition is dedicated to contemporary internationally recognized Haitian artist, Frantz Zephirin, who currently lives and works in Haiti. Dr. Jacques Bartoli has been collecting Haitian art for more than forty years, and the collection has exhibited in prestigious museums around the world. This group of works from the collection was most recently exhibited in Berlin, Germany in May 2022. The showing in Berlin was organized and sponsored by the Haitian ambassador in Germany. Arts Warehouse is honored to bring the Dr. Jacques Bartoli Collection of Haitian Art to exhibit in Delray Beach, FL.

The Kilti exhibition is a snapshot into the vibrant spiritual and historically influenced art in Haiti. Several artists use their work to document historical figures or events in Haiti’s history. Many pieces, particularly the voodoo flags, include symbols from voodoo practices, Christianity, and in some pieces both are present. The voodoo flags are a significant example of the fine craftsmanship and artistry of the Haitian artist. The sequin and bead work are comparable to the finest fashion houses.

The opportunity to exhibit the Dr. Jacques Bartoli Collection of Haitian Art was brought to Arts Warehouse and Delray Beach by way of several parties. Delray Beach has a Sister Cities partnership with Aquin, Haiti, where Haitian Culture and Art are celebrated. Daphney Antoine, president of the local Sister Cities Chapter representing Delray Beach, learned of the Dr. Jacques Bartoli collection through the collector himself. Through this connection, Antoine proposed the exhibition to Arts Warehouse as a space to showcase the Haitian Art. The exhibition has been in the making since 2020, and is coming to fruition in May – June, 2023. Kilti is an important part of Art History, and a collection of this caliber and diversity of artist is a treasure. 

Special Events:

Opening Celebration | May 5th, 6 – 9pm during First Friday Art Walk
First Friday Art Walk June | June 2nd, 6 – 9pm
Supplemental Programming to come!

Acknowledgments:

Special thank you to the Dr. Jacques Bartoli, the Haitian Resource Development Foundation (HDRF), Aldy Castor, Daphney Antoine President Sister Cities local chapter, Susan Thomas