Tag Archives: Haiti

Unesco says Ban Haitian Art

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From News24, word the Unesco is requesting a temporary ban on the sale of Haitian art, part of an effort to prevent looting.

“Unesco director general Irina Bokova has asked international forces in Haiti to ensure the security of museums and other buildings containing artefacts, a statement said.

‘It is important to prevent treasure hunters from rifling through the rubble of the numerous cultural landmarks that collapsed in the earthquake,’ said the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

Bokova was also taking steps to encourage the art market and museum professionals to verify the origin of cultural property up for sale, especially on the internet.”

Aftermath: Haitian Art

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Lately I happened to have been reading about Haitian Art, which gives me a familiarity when I read about the destruction the earthquake caused the nation’s art treasures, in particular the Centre d’Art in Port-au-Prince. It was the beginning of many artists, such as Hector Hippolyte, and the means by which many artists gained worldwide recognition.


As with most of the city, the Centre d’Art has been largely destroyed. However, it pains me to see these matters discussed as widely as they are being discussed. It’s too soon. While many artworks have not survived, neither have some artists, a representative subset of a much larger population. Column inches and relief efforts should be directed toward the people. I hope help goes to where it is needed most.