Onè Respè (Honor, Respect) by Nadïne LaFond is a mixed media assemblage that evokes a sacred altar, honoring Haitian history, cultural memory, and the strength of immigrant communities.
On the altar “wall,” symbolic elements such as a central Taino hummingbird for rebirth and a prophetic Benin bird for survival, both painted in the vibrant style of Haitian Tap Tap buses, float alongside tongues of fire symbolizing inner strength, seeds linking generations, and nourishing cultural foods beneath lace representing colonial legacies then on the altar table, humble relics like a lace-wrapped hammer, a beaded bottle, and red yarn connecting histories pay tribute to labor and lineage. Together, these elements weave themes of diaspora, perseverance, and ancestral wisdom, forming a living homage to the Haitian values of honor and mutual respect.
Dimensions: 50” x 25” x 15”
Photos of artwork by Mike Seda.
