Artists

Harry (Arijac) Jacques

Haitian, 1937-

Arijac was born in Gonaïves, Haiti on August 11, 1937.  After completing high school he took a correspondence course in architecture with an international school.  He worked in the research department of noted artist Sacha Thébaud’s (Tebo) architectural firm as a draftsman from 1962 to 1963, and in the school construction division of the Department of Agriculture until 1975.

Tebo taught Arijac to paint in the encaustic method, using a mixture of beeswax, turpentine and pigment. This method involves using pigmented wax and an iron to create images, and has been in use for over 2000 years. Arijac still uses this technique in his many portraits and landscapes.

His first exhibit was in 1965 at the American Institute. He then went on to exhibit at the French Institute, the Sao Paulo biennial and in New York. Arijac’s work is inventive, original and highly valued by collectors of Haitian Art. He is considered one of Haiti’s brightest stars.