Haitian Beatz

Jasmin Joseph, born of peasant stock on November 23, 1923 in Grande River du Nord, Haiti. As a teen-ager he labored at the kiln near Mont Rouis about twenty-five miles from Port-au-Prince. This was

where the American Jason Seley took his own clay work and that of his pupils to be fired. Jasmin was very fascinated by these sculptures and decided to create some figures of his own under Sealey’s guidance. The legendary author Selden Rodam and his book, "Where Art is Joy", describes Seley's discovery of Jasmin Joseph as a significant milestone in Haitian sculpting. His sculptures decorate the Apostles' Gallery, at the Episcopl Cathedral of Sainte Trinite. For many years, Jasmin had his own atelier and became the first Haitian sculptor to gain international recognition. Jasmin ceased sculpting after he discovered that molds had been made and were being sold on the black market. He turned to painting voodooo scenes from thickly applied oils and heavily textured surfaces. He was immediately recognized as a remarkable, talented and gifted artist. He later converted to Christianity and began painting long, narrow formats of various animals. Jasmin is considered one the few living Haitian Masters. His works have been sold in Sotheby's, Christie's and other major auction houses. He is one of few original Haitian artists that have remained committed to the Centre d'Art.