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Bernard Wah (1939-1981) 30"x24" Twin on a Boat 1981 Oil on Canvas Painting #19-3-96GSN-NY

Bernard Wah (1939-1981) 30"x24" Twin on a Boat 1981 Oil on Canvas Painting #19-3-96GSN-NY

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Description

This painting by the late Haitian artist Bernard Wah, from the private collection of Georges S. Nader, presents a strikingly abstracted scene rendered in warm, layered tones of red, gold, and earth. Semi-transparent veils of color overlap, creating depth and rhythm, while human forms emerge—hands gripping oars, faces partially obscured, and figures enveloped in flowing shapes. The composition suggests two figures in a boat, their presence both intimate and monumental, embodying Wah’s characteristic fusion of abstraction and symbolism. The work radiates a sense of movement, spirituality, and quiet strength.

About this artist

Bernard Wah, a prominent Haitian artist, was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on August 8, 1939, and passed away in New York in August 1981. He began drawing at the age of ten and later studied ceramics and sculpture at the Ceramics Center. By seventeen, he was already teaching decoration and sculpture at the center. During this time, Wah also developed an interest in painting and music, composing songs and writing poetry. By 1961, Wah had gained recognition as a talented painter, leading the Haitian government to assign him the significant task of restoring artworks in public gardens and cultural centers. He contributed to murals at the capital’s airport and founded the state-approved School of Plastic Arts. In 1963, he established the Calfou Art Center, which brought together poets, musicians, painters, and playwrights. In 1965, Wah received a scholarship from the French Institute and moved to France, where he exhibited his work on two occasions. He settled in New York in 1966 to further his studies and, from 1967 to 1978, exhibited his art in several countries, including the United States and Canada. According to Gérald Alexis in his book *Peintres Haïtiens*,  Get the Book Now!  Wah's elongated figures, reminiscent of those in El Greco's works, fit into circular compositions that convey the violence he experienced. Many of his paintings were acquired by art collectors, and he was commissioned to paint four murals at the Haitian airport as well as five murals at the Exposition grounds.

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