Xavier Amiama (1910-1969)

Xavier Amiama was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 1910 and died in Haiti in 1969. After holding several successful solo exhibitions in Santo Domingo, he settled in Port-au-Prince in 1936, where he became an influential painter, teacher, and early contributor to the development of modern Haitian art. Amiama encouraged the renowned Haitian painter Pétion Savain to participate in the 1939 New York World's Fair and became one of the original members of the Centre d'Art, Haiti's most influential artistic institution. Throughout his career, he participated in numerous Centre d'Art group exhibitions and held a solo exhibition there in June 1945. In 1951, he also exhibited with American Army veterans in Port-au-Prince. Although Dominican by birth, Xavier Amiama played an important role in the history of Haitian art through his teaching, exhibitions, and involvement with the Centre d'Art. Today, his paintings are appreciated for their historical significance and their contribution to the emergence of modern art in Haiti. Explore his available works below.