Voodoo Preparation – Frito Bastien – Original Oil on Canvas – 30x24 in
 
About the Artwork: "Voodoo Preparation" is a rare and intimate visual narrative of Haitian spiritual life. Bastien captures a solemn ceremonial moment as a group dressed in traditional white gathers around an altar to prepare sacred offerings and rites. The composition features a central circular pattern—likely a vèvè (ritual drawing)—and various ritual instruments placed with deep intention.
 
Through his signature naïve style, Bastien balances symbolic weight with colorful expression, emphasizing the profound connection between community, ancestry, and spirit. This work stands as a testament to the cultural resilience and devotional artistry of the Vodou tradition, inviting the viewer into a sacred space with dignity and reverence.
 
About the Artist Frito Bastien (b. 1954) is a renowned Haitian master based in Philadelphia. A recipient of the Pew Fellowship in the Arts, his work is rooted in the "naïve" tradition, where he paints primarily from memory to preserve the soul of Haiti. His background in fine carpentry and cabinetmaking informs the structural precision of his canvases, while his experiences as a political exile infuse his work with layered meanings of resistance and cultural stewardship.