fine arts by carl
About
Biography
Carl Craig
“My Passion Lies In The Challenge Of Capturing The Beauty, Delicacy And Fragility Of The Human Expression”” - Carl Craig
Born in Haiti, moved to New York with his family at the age of 15. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force for more than 5 years. He pursued a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance and International Business at Florida International University. After a successful career in the financial markets for 16 years, Carl ended his vocation on “Wall Street” as a Senior Financial Consultant at Merryl Lynch and decided to apply his experience and acumen in international consulting.
As an international consultant, he worked with the transition government under the leadership of Prime Minister Gérard Latortue. One of his first duties was to organize, along with other Consultants, the “Game for Peace” between the Brazilian and Haitian national soccer teams. Carl negotiated with local community leaders to introduce various programs aiming at integration for social and economic development in less favorite urban areas. As senior consultant, Carl participated in the conception and implementation of the Programme de Déconcentration de Port-au-Prince introduced by the “Ministère de l’ Intérieur & des Collectivités Territoriales”.
Despite his successes in the financial markets and as an international consultant, Carl has chosen to walk away from all the power and structure to satisfy his thirst for creativity by unleashing his talent in the arts: painting, photography and music.
As a self-taught artist, he brilliantly and skillfully captures the beauty that is embedded in Haitian culture. In 2015 and 2016 Carl was the semi-finalist in the yearly national contest organized by the Bombay Sapphire, The Artisans Series. Carl is internationally celebrated and has exhibited his works in Mexico by special invitation from Haitian Ambassador in Mexico City. His artworks have also been shown in Cayenne (formerly French Guyana) again, by special invitation, including many more. Carl’s admirers consider him as one of the best Haitian Portrait artists of our generation. His critics revere him as the Haitian artist who captures the “Sensuality of the Haitian Woman” like no other.
His belief is that hope lies in the human spirit and, by capturing the balance between delicate facial expressions and body language of his subjects, his message can be conveyed.
“In Africa, we say: Greatness and beauty do not belong to the gods alone.” [Nigerian Proverb]
Shared by Christian Nana Founder of @blawoarts
www.blawo.art
#blackartintheworld
“L’Œuvre de Carl Craig, née dans une atmosphère romantique et symbolique, présente un caractère folklorique faisant penser aux représentations de la vie humaine dans les traditions haïtiennes de la littérature” – (Hervé Lebreton – 2019)
“Carl believes that hope lies in the human spirit and, by capturing the balance between delicate facial expressions and body language of his subjects, his message can be conveyed” – (Marie-Donald Manigat – 2007)
“Como siempre amigo Carl, te deseo muchos éxitos en todo lo que emprendas y El Eterno siga bendiciendo tus mágicas manos para que sigas creando arte del bueno. Tus pinturas son inconfundibles y su colorido único. Bendiciones y Shalom”. – (Hannah Bat Isabel Pisciotti Jimenez – 2019)
“Carl Craig se on atis, nan opinyon mwen, ki eksprime tèt li ak kè l’. Li kaptire sansyalite fanm ayisyen nan penti l avek on stil reyalis ak tradisyonèl. Youn nan penti l ki pi popilè se pòtrè madanm li ki ap lave rad nan “rivyè fwad”, ke amatè penti klase youn nan pi bèl nan mitan tout lot yo”. – (Smith Jean-Baptiste Sr. 2019)
“I had the idea of you Standing near Carl Craig – painting ….
my eves caught the similar colors and Bam!! iPhone
loved it id Beautiful Magguy”. – Myrna Lamarque
"L'ART, C'EST LE REFLET QUE RENVOIE L'AME HUMAINE EBLOUIE DE LA SPLENDEUR DU BEAU" - Victor Hugo
EVENTS (2008 - 2014)
LISTING OF MAJOR EVENTS
2014
“ART FEST @ DORAL 2014” – Invited by Club des Artists to represent Haitian artists community. 11thAnnual art festival organized by the City of Doral, Florida. – Carlos Albizu University – November 7th, 8thand 9th, 2014
“CARIBBEAN FUSION – Colors of Africa in America” – Featured artist at KROMA Gallery – Coconut Groves, Florida – September 11 to October 31, 2014
“BACKGROUND – Cultural Inspiration in Contemporary Art” – At the Studios of ARTHOUSE 429 – West Palm Bach, Florida – April and September 2014
2013
“LIGHTS FROM WITHIN” At the Studios of The Haitian Cultural Art Alliance – Miami, Florida -February 22 to April 22, 2013
LINKS INC. – Exhibit showcasing the different communities of South Florida during annual event. Hyatt Downtown Miami – May 2013
Haitian Cultural Month – Solo Exhibit – City of Miramar Multi Service Center – May 2013
“Caribbean Canvases & Frames” – Ansin Family Art Gallery, Miramar Cultural Center – June 4 to July 12, 2013
“HeArt of the City Show – ” – Presented by Life is Art and Soul of Miami during Dwntwn Art Days in Miami – Chop House 305 – Miami, Florida – September 20 to 30, 2013
“COLLABORATION – African Diaspora” – Armory Art Center – West Palm Beach, Florida – September 20 to November 9, 2013
2012
SILENT CALLS FROM HAITI – Curator/Artist – Organized by the United Haitian Artists and New Faces of Hollywood – Presented nine artists from South Florida at the FAT Artists District Village, Fort Lauderdale, Florida – January 2012
NBC TV (News of Haiti) and Tropic TV – Featured in the news as one of the highly recognized artists in South Florida – January 2012
LEGACY – Award Ceremony Celebrating Black History Month – MACY’S Downtown Miami -Event Sponsored by The Urban Collective, MACY’S, The University of Miami and Barefoot Wine & Bubbly – February 2012
Purveys Young Museum of Art – Winwood Arts District – April 2012
Mobili Moderni – Solo Exhibit at modern furniture store – Miami Design District – To commemorate “Haitian Cultural Month” – May 2012
Jerusalem Art Gallery – DATRAN Center Lobby – Dadeland – Miami, Florida – August 2012
City Hall of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County Government Center, Florida – On Display: “SOUS LES TROPIQUES” (Under the Tropical Sun) -A prelude to “FullSails in Fort Lauderdale” – August/October 2012 –
”IT’S TIME: REFLECTIONS ON RESILIENCE, HOPE & COLORS” – “Festval de Cultura del Caribe” – Museo de la Cultura Maya – Chetumal, Quitana Roo, MEXICO -November 2012
ArtAfrica 2012 – Week of Art Basel – Overtown Historic District, Miami, Fl – December 2012
2011
Haitian Independence Month
Solo Exhibit sponsored by the office of Miami-Dade Mayor, the Honorable Carlos Alvarez – Lobby of the Miami-Dade Government Center – January 2011
Riviera Country Club – Coral Gables Florida – 27th Annual Art Exhibit – March 2011
Viernes Culturales of Little Havana – Solo exhibit May 2011 – Event honoring Haitian Culture Month
ArtAFRICA – Miami Arts Fair 2011 – Featuring arts of the African Diaspora during Art Basel 2011 – December 1st to 4th, 2011
2010
Regions Bank – Coral Gables, Florida – Solo Exhibit – February 2010
Carnaval on the Mile Art Fair – Coral Gable Florida – March 2010
Riviera Country Club – Coral Gables Florida – 26th Annual Art Exhibit – March 2010
2009
Deering Estates at Cutler – Unveiling of “Resurrection 2009” – A Painting depicting a monument currently on permanent public display in Savannah, GA. The event was sponsored by the Miami-Dade County Commissioners Denis Moss and Susan Sorensen and, The Haitian American Historical Society – May 2009
Heroes of the Hemisphere organized by the Pan American Development Fund (PADF) – Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines – October 2009
2008
“Open Doors Miami” – A high-ends exotic furniture/decorations store exhibit honoring Haitian Arts – Summer of 2008
Miami Design Arts District – Week of Art Basel – December 2008
