Photo by Sasha Huber, Zurich, 1999
Legendary painter Geo Remponeau, who was born in 1916 in
Port-au-Prince Haiti, turned 96 on September 16 2012 in New York where he has
resided for the past 46 years. At a very early age, Remponeau showed
his interest in drawing by depicting an upside down horse. As a teenager, he
put his talent to good use and earned pocket money by creating advertising
pieces for local businesses.
In the 1940's, Remponeau at that time an accomplished artist, became
instrumental in the Haitian art movement of the Centre d' Art, an art center
that focused on promoting and encouraging artists to get together and paint.
Remponeau subsequently became a mentor to many young artists who themselves
later on achieved their own success.
Post Centre d'Art, Remponeau opened his own studio and gallery where he
regularly featured upcoming artists. He was able to support his family by not
only selling his paintings but also by teaching art at the University and by
promoting images for many businesses in Port-au-Prince. Although not
the first Haitian artist, Remponeau's strength lied in his love for his people.
He was the first to show Black faces in school books illustrations. His
portrayal of people at work revealed an idealized side of the nation: a proud
people not afraid of hard work. Furthermore, Remponeau emphasized in
a very classic style incredible landscapes, one of his famous one being the
majestic cacti proudly erect against the blue mountains of Haiti. He
deliciously painted a colorful and fruitful land.
Remponeau's work earned him many awards for his achievement in art as well for
his contribution to the Haitian community. But his greatest award was his family
and 6 children, most of whom inherited his talent for art. In addition, this
passion for art resurfaced even among some of his grandchildren.
Text by Jany Tomba and Margarita Halaby
(Daughter and grandneice of George Remponeau)
