Where were you born and where do you live?

I was born in the borough of Brooklyn in New York City in the United States. I currently live there as well.

When and why did you start making art?

During the pandemic, I had more time to walk around my neighborhood. I started taking pictures of the murals around my neighborhood. They truly showcased the culture and the people living here. Then the following year, I bought a camera and started really paying attention to the world around me. In a city like New York, you’re always moving fast to get to a destination. Having the camera allowed me to slow down and really focus on the day to day.

What inspires you?

People in general. My full time job is being a counselor at a large public school in New York City. Prior to that, I was an elementary school teacher. The kids really brought the best out of me. They really taught me how to pay attention to human emotions and what they show when you least expect them. This is what I hope to capture with my photography.

What about your technique is unique and different from other artists?

I can’t say that my work is that unique. I’ve always asked myself if I am able to see differently than my day to day. Picking up the camera has shown that to me. Whether it’s a portrait, a city landscape or a play with light on a black and white photography, I think my work helps the viewer create a narrative depending on where I direct their focus.

What themes are present in your artwork?

I have a mix between portrait, landscape, micro and macro photography, so a little bit of everything. I love architecture and taking photographs in black and white. I try to catch candid portraits as well.

How has your culture impacted your artistic process?

I grew up in Haiti and Brooklyn, NY. Both places are rich with culture. Both places tend to be fast paced but also give you the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the surroundings. This is what I hope to capture with my photography, juxtaposing the expectations of a city life with the narrative of a rural setting.

Name one artist or artwork from your hometown that you are very fond of.

Yves Michaud/Georges Desarmes.

What does your art mean to you?

To me, my art is a form of self-care. It helps me reconnect to my humanity. It helps me with self-reflection. I don’t want to say it’s a form of self-expression because it’s one aspect of who I am. So I am looking at it more as a supplement of my expression.

What message do you want to relay through your work?

That can be a hard question to answer. I think I just want people to slow down and just take the time to really take in what is in front of them. I hope my work can show how much beauty we can observe from just a walk in our own neighborhood.

Describe your work in one word.

Pensive.