We're honored to welcome Regine Romain, photojournalist and author of Nou Pap Bliye: A Haitian Coloring Book. She'll be discussing the images, poetry, and purpose of the book with illustrator Tiffani Gomez!
About Nou Pap Bliye:
January has always been a significant month for the people of Haiti. January 1, 1804 is celebrated throughout the country and its diaspora as Haiti’s independence day from French colonial rule and chattel slavery. This year of 2021 marks the 217th anniversary of Haiti’s triumphant evolution as the first free Black nation in the Americas.
This year also marks the 11th anniversary of the catastrophic 7.0 Mw earthquake that occurred in Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. “Nou Pap Bliye” features illustrated images of Haiti captured by Romain three weeks afterwards. Rather than continue to emphasize the images of catastrophic loss and devastation inundating international media following the tragedy, Romain’s photographs emphasize the elements of faith, dignity, honor and respect that allowed Haitian communities to survive and move forward.
Régine Romain photographs and researches Haiti’s shifting yet distinct presence throughout the world in an ongoing visual diaspora project. Her work is grounded in individual and community portraiture. Through her photographs and writing she seeks to bridge two compelling views: the individual — shaped by Romain’s identity as the daughter of Haitian immigrants raised in the United States; and the collective —depicting the reality of Haiti as a self-determining nation with an ever evolving generation of people committed to redefining its own ethos. She believes that “in the hands of Haitian people, the camera can provide a broader view of our own experiences and histories, often in contrast to accepted media depictions. The need remains for our own gaze to be seen; one that stokes the collective imagination and keep new ways of seeing alive.”
Tiffani Gomez (she/they) is a queer multidisciplinary artist, native to her beloved "Chocolate City", Washington DC. Their Afro-Latinx heritage drives the many themes and stories that hey tell through their art. They jump head first into anything that peaks their interests; from welding to weaving. Along with their varied experience with art and engineering, their expertise mainly focuses on traditional painting, print making, and fashion design. She received an Associate of Fine Arts at Montgomery College in the School of Art and Design.
Nou Pap Bliye is available at Lost City Books!