Meet the Artist:

Interview with Naderson Saint Pierre

“As an artist, there is no greater pleasure for me than finding genuine growth and improvement in my projects. As I have grown and matured, so has my art. My priority is to create a better understanding and address the elephant in the room. Political and other social issues. As an artist, I alone cannot change society for the better, but I can only transform my own consciousness into my work to inspire others. The goal is to add a little seed of love, unity, and peace within everyone. “

- Naderson Saint Pierre

Tell us about your creative work and career. What should we know?

My creative work is inspired by my culture as a Haitian man who has spent half of my life in Haiti and the other half in America. The work is inspired by my experiences growing up in a town called Gonaïves and the transition of adapting to American culture and society when I moved to Florida in my teen years. I tended to speak very little, which allowed me the opportunity to observe more and learn about people through my observations. From watching and taking in two vastly different cultures and backgrounds, I gained a deeper appreciation for humanity, and that began to be translated into my artwork. My painting practice began as a way to help me find peace; the thoughts and feelings I had as a teen never had space to come out in the open because I never truly had the words to express my frustration at the world's indifference to people's suffering and personal struggles. I know this because of growing up in a city which had a fraction of the luxuries that American culture experiences on a day-to-day basis. In spite of this, rampant materialism and individualism plague American society and force a disconnect in culture and community. With my creative practice, I document my reaction to these topics, ranging from love, family, war, racism, homophobia, and the like. It serves as a mirror for the viewer to see themselves in the painting. Whether they leave the work feeling pensive or uplifted, my goal is to provoke thought and introspection.

What makes you and or your style unique?

I believe my experiences make my work stand out. I've done quite a bit of meditation through my artistic practice, and insight is something that is really essential to me. When someone takes time to truly know themselves and delves deeper into who they are, it is transformative. I include multiple eyes in my pieces as a form of that symbolism. Another thing that helps me stand out comes naturally to me, which is the use of bright primary colors in my abstract portrait series. The fragmented color blocks in the works almost remind me of the backdrop of houses in Haiti lined up next to each other in a vibrant color pattern. Who I am naturally informs my work.

How do you balance your personal life and your art practice?

I do enjoy nature and going to parks as it is something grounding and it helps me become inspired by the everyday motion of life. When I am not painting, I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family. Most days I’m headed to my studio or visiting fellow artists in theirs.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting their art career?

Get to know yourself so you can be the most authentic version of who you are and place that on canvas or whatever medium you are using. Take your time with your journey and don’t rush your process. Invest in yourself and your craft when you can do so. Never take shortcuts but learn each skill you set out to incorporate in your work with the utmost dedication and focus.

What do you want people to understand or take away from your creative work?

I want people to feel empowered after seeing my work. Through shared thoughts, conversations, and moments, they have become both the subjects and the audience simultaneously. I want people to reconnect with themselves and each other through the universal experiences that I portray in my work. I want people to remember that despite our differences, we all navigate the same anxieties of life, and we need to have grace and empathy for each other. I want people to understand the cultural richness of Haiti and how my ancestors' determination molded me into the artist that I am.

What exciting endeavors lie ahead for you? What can our community anticipate from your future ventures, and how can they support?

I'm looking forward to a few group exhibitions to close out the year 2023 in NYC. However, in the future, I aspire to use my art to be showcased internationally in galleries around the world. Despite having collectors from all over the world, I haven't yet had the privilege of being exhibited globally. I've had close opportunities to share my work in Europe that have almost come to fruition, but in the upcoming year, I wish to have my work travel to lands I have not been to and take me there as well. I believe the best support I can receive is from those who resonate with my work. If they can share the work with other people who would also enjoy it, this can help me fulfill my purpose in reaching as many people as possible with my art.