Explore Haitian art at the Figge

The Figge Art Museum is proud to announce the exhibition Myrlande Constant: DRAPO. The exhibition opened Saturday, February 1. It features the extraordinary work of celebrated Haitian artist Myrlande Constant.

Known for her innovative approach to the traditional art form of drapo (Vodou flags), Constant has intrigued audiences worldwide with her large-scale, bead and sequin-covered works. For over 35 years, Constant has redefined this Haitian tradition, transforming ceremonial Vodou flags into a contemporary art form.

The exhibition will showcase 17 of her intricately crafted bead paintings, some spanning more than seven feet, highlighting her ability to turn culturally rich stories into monumental works of art. Visitors will be immersed in a world of color and texture, and surrounded by depictions of the lwa—spirit entities central to Vodou beliefs.

Constant lives and works in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where as a child she learned beading techniques from her mother. Later she labored alongside her mother in a wedding dress factory, an experience that helped shape her as an artist.

As her career flourished, Constant returned to her roots by employing former factory workers in her workshop, to help bring her visions to life.

“The Figge has a long tradition of collecting, exhibiting, and celebrating Haitian art, and the exhibition of Myrlande Constant’s work continues that rich legacy. Her pieces are technically inspiring, showcasing intricate and densely layered beadwork, but it is her storytelling that is most compelling. Constant creates a vibrant portrait of her world by seamlessly weaving narratives that feature a diverse cast of characters rooted in Haitian history, Vodou, and the rhythms of modern life,” says Joshua Johnson Figge Co-Senior Curator.

Constant’s art is deeply rooted in her heritage. Her father, a respected oungan (Vodou priest), introduced her to the stories and symbolism of the lwa, which serve as recurring characters in her work. Constant brings these spiritual narratives into the present by injecting scenes and figures from contemporary life in Haiti, creating works that are relatable and timely.

Myrlande Constant: DRAPO will be on view in the Figge’s fourth-floor gallery through May 4, 2025. The exhibition is made possible through generous loans from Fort Gansevoort, New York City, and the Waterloo Center for the Arts, Waterloo, Iowa.

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