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Haitian Art from the Rudi Stern Collection

September 8, 2021 to December 31, 2021

Indigo Arts is honored to present a selection of Haitian sculpture from the collection of the late American multi-media artist and filmmaker, Rudi Stern.  

Born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1936, Rudolph George Stern studied art at Bard College and the University of Iowa, receiving a Master's degree in 1960.  He studied painting with Oskar Kokoschka and Hans Hoffman.   Moving to New York In the mid-sixties, Rudi Stern quickly became immersed in the New York avant-garde art scene.  He collaborated on multimedia installations of kinetic art, with installations at the Electric Circus nightclub and produced light shows for groups including The Byrds, The Doors and The Rascals.  He produced the "Psychedelic Celebration Number One" for LSD guru Timothy Leary.  He founded the New York gallery and studio Let There Be Neon in 1972.   His design work included producing neon pieces for the Broadway show, Kiss of the Spider Woman.
 

In the late 1980s Stern traveled to Haiti and began a second career as a filmmaker.  In six years living and working in Haiti Stern was involved with 14 documentary films,  notably the 1992 documentary Haiti:  Killing the Dream, with Katharine Kean, produced by Jonathan Demme.  The films document the political "dechoukaj" unrest following the demise of "Baby Doc" Duvalier, the oppressive rule of subsequent military dictatorships and the extraordinary rise of priest turned politician Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
  
While living in Haiti Stern became entranced with the work of Haitian artists, notably the makers of fantastic papier maché carnival masks in Jacmel, and the sculptors of Croix des Bouquets who hammered spiritual works out of recycled oil drums.  His collection includes work by Jonas Pascal and early work by master artist Gabriel Bien-Aimé.  He also collected a variety of street art which reflected the potilcal tumult of the time and the US/UN invasion - notably tanks, helicopters and other military hardware made from recycled plastic bottles and other trash.

In the late 1990s Stern continued his work with the art of light.  From 1999 to 2001 his multi-media installation "Theater of Light" was shown in multiple locations in New York and New Jersey.  "Involving multiple screens, thousands of painted glass slides and more than 30 projectors, “Theater of Light” surrounded audience members with densely layered, constantly changing images, intricately choreographed to music." (New York Times).  Stern lived in Europe in his later years.  In 2004 he married Raffaella Michela Trivi.  Their daughter Stella was born in 2005.  Rudi Stern passed away in 2006 in Cadiz, Spain. 

US Invasion Vehicle from plastic bottles
SKU: HSCP-2103

Artist unknown.  Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  Artist's name appears to be Sony Tifafa David, but writing is unclear.  This piece was made by a Haitian recycler artist at the time of the 1994 US-led invasion of Haiti which returned Aristide to power.
Mixed media (recycled plastic bottles, plastic soldiers, aluminum, steel, wire, fabric, paint, etc.) with vintage dust included.
(11 1/2” h.  x 8” w. 15” d.), c. 1994
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected almost thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

10% off

$575 $517.50

Lion
SKU: ALM-2101

Signed "Almann"  (Croix des Bouquets, Haiti)
Recycled steel oil-drum (23" h. x 33 1/2” w.  x 1” d.), c.1980's.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$475

6-Wheeled US Invasion Vehicle from plastic bottles
SKU: HSCP-2106

Artist unknown.  Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  This piece was made by a Haitian recycler artist at the time of the 1994 US-led invasion of Haiti which returned Aristide to power.
Mixed media (recycled plastic bottles, plastic soldiers, aluminum, steel, wire, fabric, paint, etc.) with vintage dust included.
(12” h. x 8” w. x 14 1/2" l.), c.1994
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected almost thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

10% off

$525 $472.50

"Men Kanaval 96" Frog Carnival Mask/Sculpture
SKU: HMSK-74

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché (21 1/2" h. x 20" w. x 8 1/2” d.) 1996.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.
Note:  This piece does not have eyeholes, so it was most likely worn on top of the head.

$450

Cat Woman/Twist
SKU: GBA-2438

Hinche, Haiti,c. 2024
Recycled steel oil-drum (22 3/4" h. x 11 3/4” w. x 4” d.),

$450

"Djab" Carnival Mask
SKU: HMSK-68

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché and cow-horn (19 1/2" h. x 15 1/2” w. x9 1/2” d.) c.1986.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected over thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

$450

Frog - Carnival mask
SKU: HMSK-59

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché (21 1/2" h. x 20" w. x 8 1/2” d.) c. 1996.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$450

One-horned "Djab" carnival mask
SKU: HMSK-63

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché and cow-horn (24 1/2" h. x 22 1/2” w. x 11” d.) c. 1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected over thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

$425

Yellow Animal Carnival Mask
SKU: HMSK-71

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché (22" h. x 19 1/2" w. x 12" d.) c. 1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected over thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

$425

Trois Sirènes
SKU: MIC-2101

Micano.  Croix des Bouquets, Haiti.
Recycled steel oil-drum (23 1/2” h.  x 23 1/2” w.), c.1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

10% off

$425 $382.50

SKU: HMSK-69

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché and cow-horn (18" h. x 19" w. x 14 1/2" d.) c. 1986.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected over thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

10% off

$395 $355.50

"Djab" or "Bossou" Carnival Mask
SKU: HMSK-64

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché and cow-horn (17" h. x 19" w. x 12" d.) c. 1986.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected over thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

10% off

$395 $355.50

Red "Djab" Carnival Mask
SKU: HMSK-65

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché and cow-horn (20" h. x 16" w. x 12" d.) c. 1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected over thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

10% off

$395 $355.50

Big Fish
SKU: MP-2101

M.P.,  Croix des Bouquets, Haiti.
Recycled steel oil-drum (15 1/2” h.  x 22” w. x 1" d.), 1980's. 
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

10% off

$325 $292.50

“Police de New York” Tin Can JEEP
SKU: HSCP-2108

Artist unknown.  Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  This piece was made by a Haitian recycler artist at about the time of the 1994 US-led invasion of Haiti which returned Aristide to power.
Mixed media (tin insecticide and other cans, wire, rubber, cardboard, paint, etc.) with vintage dust included.
(8 1/4” h. x 4 1/2” w. x 8 3/4” d.), c. 1994
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected almost thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

$225

The Angel and the Bird
SKU: GBA-2102

Recycled steel oil-drum (34 1/2" h. x 22 1/2” w. x 4” d.), c.1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

On Loan to Exhibition "Haitian Metal Art" at SFO Museum 2023 - July, 2024

$1200

Product Status: 
Sold
Two Faces in the Vines
SKU: GBA-2101

Recycled steel oil-drum (34 1/2" h. x 15 1/2” w. x 3” d.), c.1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$850

Product Status: 
Sold
Crocodile Carnival Mask #2
SKU: HMSK-72

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché, rubber and fabric (30” h. x 11” w. 19” d.) c. 1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected over thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear, tear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

$775

Product Status: 
Sold
White Horse Carnival Mask
SKU: HMSK-61

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché, rubber and fabric (15” h. x 18 1/2” w. x 28” d.) c. 1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected over thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

$775

Product Status: 
Sold
Crocodile Carnival Mask
SKU: HMSK-57

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché, rubber and fabric (30” h. x 11” w. 19” d.) c. 1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected over thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

$750

Product Status: 
Sold
Eve Running away with the Apple
SKU: GBA-2104

Recycled steel oil-drum (26 1/4” h. x 26” w. x 2” d.), c.1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$700

Product Status: 
Sold
Tiger Carnival Mask
SKU: HMSK-60

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché, fabric, rubber, sisal rope fiber and sheepskin. (14" h. x 14” w. x 15” d. (not counting hair) c. 1989.

 Ex collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected over thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some wear and chipping of paint is to be expected.

$650

Product Status: 
Sold
Up-Down Faces
SKU: GBA-2107

Recycled steel oil-drum (24” h. x 24” w. x 2” d.), c.1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$625

Product Status: 
Sold
Leopard
SKU: JSP-2102

Jonas Pascal,  Croix des Bouquets, Haiti.
Recycled steel oil-drum (18” h.  x 34 1/2” w. x 1" d.), 1980's.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$600

Product Status: 
Sold
Girl with Braids
SKU: GBA-2106

Recycled steel oil-drum (20” h. x 25” w. x 2” d.), c.1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$600

Product Status: 
Sold
Two Roosters (Cock Fight)
SKU: JSP-2103

Jonas Pascal,  Croix des Bouquets, Haiti.
Recycled steel oil-drum (18” h.  x 34 1/2” w. x 1" d.), 1980's.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$575

Product Status: 
Sold
Large Face in the Foliage
SKU: GBA-2105

Recycled steel oil-drum (23 1/2” h. x 25” w. x 2 1/2” d.), c.1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$575

Product Status: 
Sold
Figure on a Cross - Vodou object
SKU: HSCP-2104

Artist unknown.  
Mixed media - wood cross with figure made out of sewn cotton fabric, stuffed with wood shavings, with many steel pins and tacks, copper wire, organic fiber pubic hair.   Vintage dust included.
(33” h. x 19” w. x 3 1/2” d.), c. 1980s
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$500

Product Status: 
Sold
Cock and Snake
SKU: MJB-2101

Michelet Jean-Baptiste.  Croix des Bouquets, Haiti.
Recycled steel oil-drum (24” h.  x 24” w.), c.1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$475

Product Status: 
Sold
Adam and Eve
SKU: JSP-2101

Jonas Pascal, with A. Roseline.  Croix des Bouquets, Haiti.
Recycled steel oil-drum (23 1/2” h.  x 23 1/2” w.), c.1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$475

Product Status: 
Sold
Djab
SKU: ME-2101

M.E.  Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
Recycled steel oil-drum 34 1/2" h. x  18 1/4” w. x 1” d.), c.1989.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

$475

Product Status: 
Sold
 "Djab" Carnival Mask
SKU: HMSK-70

Unknown artist. Jacmel, Haiti.
Painted papier maché and cow-horn (16 1/2" h. x 19 1/2” w. x 12” d.) c.1986.
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

10% off

$395 $355.50

Product Status: 
Sold
Just Married
SKU: PMS-034

Philomene (Jacmel, Haiti) c.1989
Papier Maché (19" h. x 13 1/4" w. x 2 1/2" d.)
Ex. collection of Rudi Stern.

Note: this is a vintage piece collected over thirty years ago, and displayed by the collector.  Some chipping of paint is to be expected.

$145

Product Status: 
Sold