“Fugitive; Mawon” is a 2023 painting by Haitian-born artist Didier William. The artwork measures 62 x 94 inches and showcases William’s distinctive technique of combining acrylic, wood carving, and ink on panel.
In this piece, William reimagines the iconic Haitian statue “The Unknown Maroon” (1967) by architect Albert Mangonès. The bronze statue, depicting a runaway slave, stands in Port-au-Prince as a powerful symbol of Black liberation and the rallying cry that ignited the Haitian Revolution. William’s interpretation pays homage to this emblem of resistance, reflecting on themes of freedom and resilience.
Didier William, born in 1983 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and currently based in Philadelphia, is renowned for his intricate wood-carved paintings that explore identity, history, and the diasporic experience. His work often delves into personal and collective narratives, bridging the past and present through a unique visual language.
“Fugitive; Mawon” was featured in William’s solo exhibition “Things Like This Don’t Happen Here” at James Fuentes Gallery in Los Angeles, which ran from May 6 to June 17, 2023. The exhibition presented fourteen new paintings that advance William’s ongoing investigation of language, aesthetics, tradition, trauma, and autobiography in a deeply imaginative and mythological manner.