Profile
Myrlande Constant is a visual artist from Haiti, celebrated as one of the first women to work with Vodou drapo, a traditional Haitian flag art, historically practiced by men. Born near Port-au-Prince, Myrlande learned embroidery from her mother and began selling her own pieces after leaving a wedding dress factory job. Inspired by her father, a Vodou priest, she turned to Vodou drapo in the 1990s, creating intricate, large-scale flags that blend spiritual themes with personal and political narratives.
Myrlande’s work explores Haitian religious myths, Vodou spirits, and the country’s complex history, including a notable piece reflecting the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. Her success has opened doors for other Haitian women in the field, and her pieces are featured in major museums like the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. At her studio, she mentors young women in art and sewing. Beyond artistic mentorship, Myrlande has also created a communal space where people can gather safely. This has proven to be a particularly valuable sanctuary in a country experiencing an increase in violence related to local gang wars targeting police stations, prisons, schools, hospitals, and religious sites in Port-au-Prince.
