by Ismael Solin Cilus
Steeped in history, resistance, and revelry, Rhythms of Resistance captures the electrifying spirit of Haitian Rara, a vibrant musical tradition akin to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Emerging as a protest against the mistreatment of the poor, Rara became a symbol of resilience, a celebration of community, and a defiant display of unity through sound and movement.
 
At the heart of the painting, a lone drummer beats the rhythm of the revolution, his hands blurred in motion, summoning the streets to life. To his sides, two dancing figures whirl in hypnotic defiance, their bodies adorned in the radiant hues of their respective neighborhoods—each commune proudly represented in this procession of sound, sweat, and spirit. The piece’s Byzantine-inspired border is an intricate mosaic of symbols, weaving a visual hymn. Delicate floral patterns bloom around the frame—colorful, unbreakable, thriving despite hardship.
 
Through bold, expressive strokes and a vibrant color palette, this piece transports the viewer into the rhythmic heartbeat of Haiti’s Lenten celebrations—a world where music is a weapon, movement is a language, and culture is an unshakable force.