Chopping the Tree (1998) – Frito Bastien – Original Oil on Canvas – 18x24 in
 
About the Artwork: "Chopping the Tree" is a powerful celebration of strength and the dignity of labor. Painted in 1998, it depicts a muscular figure grounded in a radiant Caribbean landscape, his machete mid-swing against the lush textures of the rural Haitian countryside. The bright blue of his shorts contrasts with the earthy verdant greens, symbolizing the rhythm of survival and the endurance of agrarian culture. For Bastien, this act is a metaphor for carving out one’s own path and maintaining a deep, generational connection to the land.
 
About the Artist Frito Bastien (b. 1954) is a celebrated cultural steward and a vital voice in contemporary Haitian art. 1. Mentored by Célestin Faustin, Bastien’s work is rooted in the "naïve" tradition—painting from memory to preserve the rituals and landscapes of his homeland. 1 A Pew Fellowship recipient, Bastien’s work is recognized for its ability to blend joyful nostalgia with the resilience of the human spirit.