Location: United States
Christian Nicolas grew up in a home where reverence for photography, literature, and the arts was evident.
Inspired by French poets, Christian began writing poetry at the age of 14. He moved to the United States at 19 to carry on his academic studies. His fondness for the family's passion enticed him to switch from his studies and earn a degree in Art Photography instead. He then worked in that field diligently for five years
until he met Haitian, master Jean Claude Garoute-also known as Tiga. With a natural flair for illustration and a keen eye for the esthetic, a dormant talent awakened as Christian began to paint with Tiga's guidance. Producing not only utilizing acrylics, Christian found new possibilities in the appliance of the "Soleil Brule-" technique created, documented and taught by Tiga. KRISTO was born.
Totally immersing himself in this new approach and allowing spontaneity to have free rein, the artist emerged. He reveals how it changed his life. “This completes the circle. I have found the missing link that I have been searching for so long. Painting takes me to another world, where freedom is not a vain word, but a liberating reality.”
Motivated by his new found outlook, Kristo began to bring attention to the reality engulfing Haiti and its inhabitants by writing a series of poems - a compilation of nine texts in French and Kreyol called “Haïti: Un Cri de Désespoir (Haiti: A Cry of Despair).” Kristo's first CD was released in October, 2005.
Following a series of exhibits from 2005 to 2009, Kristo co-authored, in February 2009, the Book “Here…There and Beyond,” a 320 pages collection of the work of 16 Haitian artists of Florida, their biography, statements and views on their work, as well as critics by independent art connoisseurs.
In addition to co-authoring the book and editing most of the texts and the photographs it contains, Kristo planned and curated a series of exhibits related to the promotion of the book and the artists showcased in it. This series of events was advertised by the media in newspapers such as The Miami Herald, La Prensa Del Sur, The Miami Sunpost, The Haitian Art Society, USA Today.com, and the March 2009 issue of the prestigious Doral Lifestyle & Business magazine. Kristo was also featured in the prestigious Artismine of Chelsea NY and Caribbean Network Magazine of Florida
In December 2010, Kristo authored and published the book Beyond Words – Beyond Colors, a book that encompasses some of Kristo’s poetry, art photography, and paintings.
Kristo is currently the Owner / Manager of Kristo Art, Miami, Florida.
Kristo is represented by Myriam Nader Salomon of Nader art gallery. Samples of his work can also be viewed at gallery Festival Arts of Petion-ville Haiti.. Kristo has exhibited his work in Florida, Italy, Holland, New York, Canada and Haiti.
kristo@kristoart.com
www.kristoart.com
954-232-2266
PAINTINGS BY KRISTO NICOLAS. kristo@kristoart.com - 954-232-2266
Badagri,
Ogoun Badagri is the peaceful father of Ogoun Feray. While he is served with a machete he is less likely to be seen swinging it around and making a public spectacle of himself by bending the machete against his stomach -- although he can. He often holds the machete in a less aggressive fashion. His colors are red and military khaki. If Ogoun Feray is a warrior, Ogoun Badagri is a diplomat and strategist.
Ogoun Badagri is usually associated with the Catholic image of St. George, and is honored on April 23.
Agoueh
Lord of the Seas.
Agoueh, also known as Agwe A Royo, is the first child of the second series of offsprings of Damballah, the father of the gods, with the Upper Waters. Admiral' Agwe, just like Poseidon or
Neptune is the protector of all ships on the sea.
Agwe sired a daughter with Miryame, an Ethiopian woman.
The daughter, named Imanou, was captured by the Egyptians,
and sacrificed to their god Taurus. The name Imanou was
inscribed on Agwe’s boat to immortalize her memory.
Agwe also sired another daughter, Ursule, with Erzuli Freda, goddess of love, and wife of Ogou Badagri, one of the gods of war. In a paradox for the Lwas, Ursule was drowned in the ocean. A death caused by Aida Wedo, wife of Damballah, rival of Erzuli Freda. For Erzuli Freda is loved by all the gods.
Feraj,
The Nago Warrior, the African version of Mars of the roman or Aries of the Greeks, is the god (Lwa) of masculinity, war, blacksmiths, and thunderbolts. Feraj is a fire god, fierce and always ready to do battle.
He is also a great lover and defender of women, especially widows and single mothers. He is associated with St James the dragon slayer of the Christians.
The machete or saber is his attribute. Feraj is fond of rum and tobacco. He makes implements for farming and medicine; like the hoe, and the surgeon's scalpel.
Feraj is loved by Erzulie Freda, the Lwa of love, and spouse of his father Ogoun Badagri. It is said that Badagri caught them dancing in a forest, loving each other. Since that day, dissension never stops mounting between the two Nago warriors.
The Gate Keeper (Legba)
Legba is said to be the guardian of the crossroads and entrances. He is one of the most widely worshipped lwa and is known by several names.
In Surinam and Brazil, he is known as Exu, in Trinidad and Cuba he is known as Elegua, in Haiti and New Orleans he is known as Papa Legba.
Papa Legba is a master linguist, a warrior, and the personal messenger of destiny. He has the power to remove obstacles and to provide opportunities. All ceremonies begin and end with Papa Legba, and there can be no communication with any of the other lwas without consulting him first.
It is said that Legba speaks all human languages and is one if not the most ancient spirit. In some circle, he is considered as an inter-dimensional being known not only in this realm but also in all creation. He receives his order directly from god. Legba requires the purest form of worship, a pure mind, and a clean body.
Ni-Bho
Ghede Ni-Bho or Nibo was a handsome young man who was killed violently. After death, he was adopted as a spirit or Lwa by Baron Samedi (Hades) and Maman Brigitte (Persephone) and became a leader of the spirits of the dead. Envisioned as an effeminate, nasal dandy, Nibo wears a black riding coat or drag. When he inhabits humans they are inspired to lascivious sexuality of all kinds.
Ghede Nibo is considered a great healer, carrying a bottle of white rum infused with medicinal herbs. He often also carries a staff and smokes a cigar. Nibo is the special patron of those who die young, and as such is often conflated with the Catholic saint Gerard Majella. Purple is considered his sacred color.
Until recently, Haitian farmers would perform a praise song to Ghede Nibo each November. It involved phallic thrusts and other erotic gestures.
SPIRIT OF FIRE FROM THE NAGO TRIBE OF AFRICA
FATHER OF THE GODS IN THE V OODOO RELIGION
THE GODDESSES OF THE SEA, LA SIRENE, WIFE OF AGOUETH A ROYO AND HER SISTER LA BALEINE
“ Ogou Badagri”
“DEEP WITHIN”
“AGOUETH A ROYO”
“ENIGMA”
“FERAJ OR THE NAGO WARRIOR”
“LEGBA OR THE GATE KEEPER”
“NI-BHO”
“NEG NAGO”
“ACHADE”
“OSSANGE”
“THE INVOKED”
“LA GRANDE DAME”
“DAMBALLAH”
“HANGING OUT”
“ANCESTRAL CALLING”
“LA SIRENE - LA BALEINE”
