Last year we dove headfirst into the Decolonization Series seeking honest conversations surrounding authenticity, roots, learning & unlearning, and ownership of culture in Haiti. Our series included conversations surrounding the decolonization of beauty, aid, language, the idea of success, the Haitian American experience, and body image. We truly only scratched the surface of these topics- but also realized many times artists can convey our emotions when our words fall short. We’ve been a fan of the talented @Pyelila via IG for a while, and reached out to Lila to commission an illustration inspired by the series. We asked Lila to pick whatever topic he felt most inspired by and run with it. Below is the gorgeous “Marikamèl”, created by Lila and inspired by the topic of decolonizing body image. Lila shared a bit about his background, his personal journey of decolonization through art, and his inspiration for “Marikamèl” below. Please read and enjoy the words from this beautiful soul.
“Marikamèl” by Pyelila for Haiti Design Co. Inspired by the conversation of “Decolonizing Body Image”.
Name: Pierre-Richard Raphael
Age: 30
Location: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
IG account: @pyelila
“I am a visual artist based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I am mostly into Illustration, Graphic Design and photography. I like to explore the infinite creation possibilities offered by my Haitian heritage and to do part in the fight against humanitarian and social issues in the process.”
“I am Pierre-Richard Raphael, I was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I grew up in a cool neighborhood of Carrefour-Feuilles, named Bas-Peu-de-Chose. Back in my childhood days, we used to take our dream era for granted. Sundays were spent barricading streets to play soccer, jamming on good old Original Rap Staff Music, this is a few hours before the elders get tired of our songs then play their cool Tropicana vibes instead, around domino boards and rhum cups. Later at night, as the stress-free kids we were, we would gather on one of our front door steps, wearing lit Power Rangers sneakers, chatting crazily about fantastic things like having superpowers and “lougawou” stories. Haitian folklore literally fueled our conversations. Today, I still live in this neighborhood, some of my friends are still around, we still gather on our front doors steps, some of us with our kids, others with their cameras or beers.
We know now, that we’ve been taking these moments for granted, they have shaped our personality forever and that it is what kept the child in us alive during these years. These episodes of pure and innocent life have shaped my mind in all of its corners. I have been drawing since my third year at pre-school, and dreaming has remained the backbone of my creation process as a full time visual artist. I have always allowed myself to portray and illustrate anything in the most dreamy way possible. One that takes its inspiration from real life but is directing itself towards a more fantastic ethereal perspective. It comes naturally and this helps me levitate into my bubble and create exactly what speaks for me in my journey to haitian valorization through cultural and social decolonization. I knew I had to do, and only do things that say the opposite of what the world is trying to mold me into. Especially regarding residual decolonization powder that will forever stain our society despite all of its blackness.
Back in school, I have always been bullied for my weight, my skin color or even my shyness. Growing up, I realized that my only weapon was and still is my creativity. My ability to turn my thoughts, feelings and emotions into shapes and colors. I don’t think that I would have been inspired to dive into my decolonization journey if life treated me gently or if I were accepted for who I am everywhere I go. That fueled my strong desire to sharpen my assets against what social colonization has left in our spiritual and mental entourage, and these are the values and truth I wish my younger self would have been introduced to a long time ago. That is why picking Body Image from the Decolonization Series would have always been easier for me.
I always choose to keep my Haitian authenticity in my work because we still have unexploited original contents, resources when it comes to culture and art. This is what motivates me to pour my Haitian heritage into whatever I am creating. My art is a faithful instrument to this heritage and I am returning the power of this gift to what has always sourced my inspiration since my childhood. The Haitian Folklore.
I wished to create a piece of art that tells a victorious story with few elements and enough details that evoke fearless freedom and natural emancipation from society standard, while keeping the innocent charm and beauty one possesses without pressure, stress and trauma. It is a responsibility, as an artist, to find aesthetic ways to portray the decolonization movement in order to reach all senses and all kinds of people and help them overcome what may have been blocking their auras from reaching the decolonization-free zone.”
D.S. Series Quick Dive:
What does “decolonization” mean to you personally?
To me, decolonization means swimming out of the tides of false standards society keeps throwing at us everyday and finding the best way to build a strong foundation to keep our beliefs, values and softness well grounded.
What are you most proud of when thinking about being Haitian and Haitian culture?
When it comes to Haitian culture, I am most proud of our haitian and rustic heritage, of vodou culture, and our gastronomic tastes.
Who are a few artists that have been most inspirational to you and your journey?
Frantz Zephyrin has been so inspirational to me from the very start of my career, his style and philosophy are still an enigma to me and this is amazing. But back in my teenage years, I have been mostly inspired by comic book art and fantasy concept art.
