(1925 - 2019)
Commonly known by his first name Gerard, his exact date of birth is uncertain, though Gerard has said he was alive during the Haitian dictatorship of Jean Claude Duvalier. Gerard was born and raised in the city of Petionville, a suburb of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.
The subjects of Gerard’s paintings are vast, ranging from everyday matters, Biblical scenes, portraits of Haitian generals and politicians, animals and athletes. Gerard himself has said, “I’m obligated to paint vodou and Jesus and flowers and the sea. And villages and anything that comes to mind.” “God tells me what to paint, the feeling of each painting.” He says that God gives hope to him. “Inspiration comes from God at all hours.”
"I visited Gerard and his wife in his compound in PAP, where he peacefully coexisted with people, chickens and flowers. He is a small man with a huge smile and a tranquil demeanor. When I view his naïve floral work, I am soothed, calmed into a state of believing that the world will actually be OK, and that there is a place inhabited by flowers and animals which is a place of peace and harmony." G.P.