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An American Vodou House

I studied Japanese pottery in college in the 70s, and majored in graphic design. I worked at Time, Newsweek and Omni magazines in New York City as a paste up artist, long before there were computers. I also drew lacey bordered certificates for Readers Digest in Connecticut; and I designed stage sets, video graphics, and multi-media shows for Fortune 100 companies. I walked away from all of it in 2002, when I went to Haiti to become a Mambo. Vodou has defined my work, my writing and my life ever since.

Even as a priest, art and Vodou are entwined as one. My teachers have all been both artists and priests. Papa Edgar was a flag maker of note in Haiti.  Mambo Shakmah was a writer.  I have worked all my life as an artist, exploring the path between desire and art. Everything is art to me - this web site, the way in which I create my books, my sewing projects, my set work, my altars - all is art, expression and form.

As I move into retirement, and the day-to-day demands of being an artist, mambo and priest lessen, I find I am again drawn to create non-functional art that expresses the path I have walked for 30 years. I no longer have to work for someone else’s approval - I do it for myself.

 

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© 1995-2019.  Sosyete du Marche, Inc. is a Federally recognized 501c3 church, operating in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Your donations are tax deductible, and go towards supporting Sosyete du Marche, Inc., its mission to provide a safe haven for all worshippers, and to help those who need it most. To date, we have led medical missions to the Caribbean, supported Native Louisiana residents after Katrina, and currently support our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.