Jean-Claude Garoute-TIGA (Haitian, 1935-2006)

Jean-Claude “Tiga” Garoute (1935–2006) was a Haitian painter, sculptor, and cultural innovator who played a central role in shaping modern Haitian art. He is best known as a co-founder of the Saint-Soleil movement, which emphasized intuitive creation, spiritual expression, and artistic freedom outside academic traditions.Tiga developed the Rotation Artistique method, encouraging artists to explore multiple disciplines and materials as a path to creative discovery. He later founded Poto Mitan and KayTiga, spaces dedicated to artistic experimentation and cultural exchange. His work is recognized for its abstract, spiritual style and Solèy Brile (“burning sun”) technique, combining raw textures, symbolic forms, and vibrant color inspired by Vodou and Haitian cultural traditions. Tiga exhibited internationally and influenced generations of Haitian artists. Explore available works below.