“Anomalie”: when Caribbean and Nigerian art collide at the Christophe Person gallery

Christophe Person gallery is delighted to present an exclusive exhibition featuring the talented duo of artists Céleur Jean Hérard and Nduka Ikechukwu. Entitled “Anomalie” the exhibition, which runs until 30 November, invites visitors to discover the distinct artistic practices of these two contemporary figures.

Céleur Jean Hérard, born in Haiti in 1966, and Nduka Ikechukwu, born in Nigeria in 1997, each bring their own singularity to this artistic encounter. Separated by an age gap of 30 years and almost 10,000 km, they nevertheless share a common passion: that of transmitting emotions and forms through their art.

Céleur Jean Hérard, first known for his sculptures, is now exploring the medium of large-format painting, while Nduka Ikechukwu composes three-dimensional hangings, transforming textiles into wall sculptures. Both have a metaphysical approach to colour, evoking both pain and hope. They also share an interest in fluid, circular forms, and an unshakeable belief in human solidarity. This exhibition promises to be a veritable artistic voyage, combining the diverse visions of these two creators.

The ‘Anomalie’ exhibition, inspired by Céleur Jean Hérard’s speech, unfolds against a complex backdrop for Haiti, marked by the aftermath of the devastating 2010 earthquake that claimed almost 300,000 lives and left millions homeless. In a country without a president, plagued by gang violence and uncertainty, art is emerging as a vehicle for resilience.

Christophe Person joins forces with Allenby Augustin, director of the Port-au-Prince Art Center, which has played a crucial role in supporting post-earthquake Haitian artists. Among them are Céleur Jean Hérard, an emblematic figure on the Caribbean scene, and Nudka Ikechukwu, representative of the evolution of contemporary art in Nigeria. Together, they pay tribute to Haiti’s African roots and its struggle to preserve its artistic expression, weaving a bridge between East Africa and the new creative generation. “Anomalie” offers a poignant reflection on memory, identity and the future of contemporary African art.

Céleur Jean Hérard

Born in Port-au-Prince in 1966 and often referred to as Céleur, Céleur Jean Hérard is a renowned sculptor and founding member of the Atis Rezistans collective, alongside André Eugène and Frantz Jacques, known as Guyodo. This collective is part of the Grand Rue movement, launched in the 1970s by the sculptor Georges Laratte, who set up shop in the heart of Port-au-Prince, attracting tourists and art lovers alike.

Initially a wood sculptor, Céleur gradually incorporated the recovery of metal and other materials into his work. His encounters with the sculptor Nasson in 1990, and then with Mario Benjamin in the early 2000s, had a profound influence on the development of his work. Although he is best known for his sculpture, Céleur has also been painting since the early 2020s. His art takes an innovative approach to everyday reality, blurring the boundaries between the real and the imaginary.

His work is imbued with expressive violence and a form of transgression, revealing the suffering and frustrations that punctuate everyday life. The Haitian artist is inspired by the latent inequalities of his environment, and his sculptures and paintings bear powerful witness to this.

Nduka Ikechukwu

Nduka Ikechukwu, born in 1997 in Uke, Nigeria, is a graduate of the eminent Nsukka School of Art. In 2023, he had the honour of being the first winner of the Art Report Africa prize. His work draws deeply on his environment and identity, in particular the rich culture of his Igbo people.

Nduka Ikechukwu’s art transcends simple ornament to reveal webbed belts metamorphosed into vibrant tapestries. Her artistic approach is rooted in several Igbo ideologies – such as ‘Ogbuefi’, ‘Akuluono’ and ‘Igba Boi’ – which focus on powerful themes such as power, economic strength and community solidarity, embodying the spirit of south-eastern Nigeria.

The “Anomalie” exhibition at Christophe Person gallery reveals the richness and diversity of contemporary artistic expression through the works of Céleur Jean Hérard and Nduka Ikechukwu. A transcendent encounter between two distant worlds, this presentation highlights a shared vision of colour, form and human solidarity. Visitors are invited to plunge into a universe where art becomes a vehicle for emotion and reflection, bearing witness to the vibrant realities of Africa and Haiti.