My Story
Hi my name is Gaetan Joachim, artist name Veno. I was born in Haiti, now living in Toronto, Canada.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to creativity. I have no preference. I simply love art and the magic it forms. Art impacts my nature, my spiritual, personal and professional life. It is a tool that helps me in navigating the experiences that shape my creative evolution.
Go Fund Me Project
Please help me reach my goal. Thanks and many blessings.
This #GOFUNDME project is meant to help me establish the biggest art project of my artist career thus far. After years of art exploration in many mediums, I decided to focus on this project with the intention to impact and highlight the culture that raised me and the legacy that it holds.
This creative piece, titled “Le et La marron inconnu(e)” is inspired by Haitian Architect Albert Mangonès’s sculpture known as “the unknown maroon” or “Le marron inconnu”.
Wikipedia Link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Marron_Inconnu
Having first hand experience in harsh integration and racial hardships during my journey in Canada, and leading to the recent 2021 “BLM” revolution and protest around the world, I wanted to focus on showcasing a silver lining. A symbol of remembrance of hope.
— Gaëtan Veno Joachim
Part 01
Concept
The idea was first inspired on January 1st, 2021 - Independence Day in Haiti. I was feeling helpless in a matter so close to my personal journey and the culture that I was born in. I was impelled to surround my subject matter around the chained stigmas of slavery and racism that divides the world still until this day.
In a deep dream like state I envisioned a completely united embrace of a hard racial evolution. But something was missing, I looked through the art history of Haiti and found my entry. The statue that represented the liberation of Haiti and the commemoration of the first liberation of slavery since 1804 was missing one important symbol, “Polarity”. The male figure stood for a symbol of liberation but neglected to include the polarity and truest form of its nature, the feminine.
The statue is regarded as a symbol of black liberation; commemorating in particular, the cry that sparked the Haitian Revolution and the abolishment of slavery.
My interpretation than was set to focus on polarity by bringing light to all the women that have been neglected in the highlight of this revolution. I am bringing vision, enlightenment, notion and oneness to truly say that we are proud of our Goddesses, Ancestors, Mothers and Sisters that have also fought for our freedom.
Part 02
1st Sculpture
The second part of the project, a physical golden sculpture work was released on March 8th, 2021 on International Women’s Day, to combine the supportive nature and intention of the project.
Measurements:
12 inch Width
12 inch Length
12 inch Depth
With an embracing response from the community, the project was well received and featured in Toronto Caribbean News. The article written by Simone J. Smith, was published in the newspaper and online.
Toronto Caribbean News
February 01, 2021 - Black History Month
“The image is powerful. Two bronzed figures: a woman and a man, kneeling on one knee, with their one leg outstretched. They are bent back with a conch to their lips. Both man and woman have a sword in their other hand, rested by their thigh. It is a statement of oneness, and balance.”
– BY SIMONE J. SMITH
Part 03
The Goal
With continued effort, the project was also featured in Mosaique Culturelle Canada, Instagram Live’s, Zoom interviews and other presentations and opportunities that brought light to the project.
I also released framed print artworks to help raise funding for the promotion of the project, which received great response in growth of popularity.
I continue to put effort on this project with the goal not only to have the honour, but to also have the support of the Government of Canada to realize a larger sculpture in one of the Canadian provinces. This symbol would stand for Unity and Liberty in Canada with a vision of prosperity through growth for a future generation of peace.
To quote the late King:
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
This is the most important step of this project for Unity in Polarity. I started this journey with a greater goal in mind, with 30 years of artistic transformation, I am ready to leave a legacy to change and impact the future generations. Please take the time to visit my Go Fund Me project, support or share with everyone you can. This is my body or art and my legacy of work.
Peace and blessings.
