An overwhelming sensory experience greeted me the first time I arrived in Haiti. It was in 1981. I had chosen to travel to this Caribbean country to scout locations for a film inspired by Graham Greene. I was fascinated by the country's history, marked by the slaves' successful rebellion against the French colonial rulers. But what struck me most was the adventure, the drama, and the multitude of stories.

It was as if the Haitian artists were possessed by an insatiable desire to tell the story of their land. As a foreign guest becoming more familiar with the different artistic directions, I could immerse myself in the imagery. It wasn't out of duty but a desire to understand Haiti's soul and origins. This was an art brimming with a fervent urge to narrate.

I realized that this richness had led to the popularity of Haitian art – an overwhelming wealth of stories, dreams, and fantasies. The music in the images, the African past, the mysteries, and vodou. Far out in the countryside, the artists lived and gathered for ceremonies, singing, and dancing in the darkness of night.

Already on my first trip, I got to know some of the artists. Since then, I have returned year after year, buying works directly from them. It later dawned on me, that I was well on my way to creating a collection. I developed favorites, sought out specific artists, and delved into their daily activities. That's how it evolved.

I also collected moments with many of these artists along the way. Moments I would record on film. And like my art collection, these seemingly disjointed scenes of artists at work, were slowly becoming a film about Haitian art until one day, it was simply there.

Dreamers.

The great deceased artists from the years gone by - and the still active and vibrant artists who are still out there, enriching our lives and deepening our understanding.

People say Haiti has no real natural riches, and thats why it has been allowed to fall into darkness alone, fending for itself, by itself.

I say people are blind. Haiti’s natural richness is right here for all to see. Its only a matter of opening your eyes.

Jorgen Leth, May 2024