Haitian artist Manuel Mathieu explores colonial history and fragrance in Paris

Haitian-Canadian artist Manuel Mathieu opened his first solo exhibition in France at Galerie Poggi in Paris.

The show, titled Ayizan, features paintings, sculptures, and mosaics that explore themes of memory, history, and spirituality. Mathieu uses his work to address the complicated legacy of French colonialism in Haiti, a country that became the world's first independent Black republic in 1804.

He views his presence in Paris as a way to confront the dark history of the region while integrating his own heritage into the European art canon. The artist grew up in Port-au-Prince following the Duvalier dictatorship and moved to Montreal at age 19. His work often features human figures that emerge from and dissolve into layers of paint.

One large painting in the exhibition references Christopher Columbus, while other pieces use ceramic and iron wire to explore the artist's spiritual connection to his homeland. Mathieu notes that his artistic identity was influenced by both Haitian traditions and European art history, leading him to question how different movements, such as surrealism, are named and defined. Beyond visual art, Mathieu is expanding into the world of fragrance.

He is working with a perfumer to create three scents inspired by Haiti that feature Haitian vetiver. He believes the role of the artist is evolving as the boundaries between art and luxury goods become more fluid. The exhibition runs until 23 December.