Haiti Cultural Exchange

Fanmi M, Men Yo! at Photoville
2023-06-03 - 2023-06-18 | Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 Water St, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, United States
Haiti Cultural Exchange is pleased to have curated this exhibition of Lakou NOU 2022 artist Steven Baboun’s work for this year’s Photoville Festival.

Photoville Festival runs June 3-18th
Opening Weekend June 3-4th
Brooklyn Bridge Park

Fanmi M, Men Yo! (“My Family, There They Are!”) is a series of abstract photographs of queer Haitians in history, culture, and the current reality. The work, created as a Lakou NOU 2022 artist-in-residence with Haiti Cultural Exchange, celebrates and acknowledges the fluidity of queer Haitians, honoring their ability to imagine and create kind futures for the queer community in New York, Haiti and around the world. Steven generated this work collaboratively with community members, weaving participants’ collective creativity into their respective art forms. Custom textile installations Photography, sculpture, and soundscapes are an homage to the Haitian Vodou Lwa’s, who watch over and guide LGBTQAI+ people. From the unbreakable love of Èzili Freda to the carefree and expressive nature of the Gede family, this project reflects the innovative, resilient, barrier-breaking qualities of our Lwa’s.

Steven Baboun is a queer artist from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, based in New York City. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Arts as well as a minor in Education Studies from American University and graduated from Parsons School of Design with a Master of Fine Arts in Photography. Baboun is a multimedia artist creating through photography, video, performance, and installation. His work confronts social and political topics in Haiti from polarizing and controversial issues to elevating the importance of Haitian culture and stories, family history, and immigration, queer rights, and more. Currently, Baboun is the founder and creative director of the creative house, Studio Baboun, based in Brooklyn, New York.

Curated by Régine M. Roumain and Emily Schiffer.
