The documentary and contemporary photography project “Sere bouboun” by Phalonne Pierre Louis is exhibited in Montreal as part of Black History Month.
As part of Black History Month in Montreal, Canada, the documentary and contemporary photography project “Sere bouboun” by self-taught Haitian visual artist and filmmaker, Phalonne Pierre Louis, is on display at the Théâtre aux Écuries, du 03 to 29 February 2024. The exhibition is open Tuesday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the photographer told Juno7 in an interview. The vice-president of KIT took advantage of the moment to explain that this project paints an intimate portrait of a few people in Hinche and helps us understand the social issues linked to the tradition of the vaginal steam bath, what is commonly called “ dlo cho”.
“This project is the result of my meeting with a 17-year-old girl whom I met in a community clinic in 2018 in Hinche. She had come for treatment because her buttocks were badly burned after taking a vaginal steam bath. When I saw the severity of his injuries it shocked me and I decided to do in-depth research on the practice of “dlo cho” in Haiti. I wanted to know what it was, to know why women take it and why society forces them to take it too,” explained Phalonne Pierre Louis who wanted to show the reasons which pushed her to carry out such a project.
According to the photographer’s explanations, it is a solo exhibition of her recent work (sere bouboun) completed in 2023. “It is not an exhibition-sale either”, underlined the young woman who has been evolving in the field of photography since 2016.
Furthermore, Phalonne Pierre Louis revealed for the Juno7 editorial staff that she is currently working on a photo project in Canada which addresses the issue of migration.
Details about Phalonne Pierre Louis
Phalonne Pierre Louis is a self-taught Haitian visual artist and filmmaker. His works are exhibited in Haiti at the festival ”Les Rencontres du Documentaire en Haïti”, at the UNESCO house in Paris and at the Copper Bridge Foundation in Miami. Currently, she is organizing her second solo exhibition in Montreal.
She also works as a director of photography on creative films and videos, selected in renowned international festivals including Sundance Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival, Clermont Ferrand, FESPACO… She is the vice-president of KIT, a association of Haitian filmmakers and photographers which organizes “Les Rencontres du Documentaire en Haïti”. She is also a member of Fotokonbit, an organization of Haitian and foreign photographers.
She embraced this profession because her father was also a photographer. “I was always amazed to hold the little camera he used to take the photos. My passion for photography started from there actually. When I finished my classical studies, I looked into other professions and finally ended up in photography. Since 2016, I have made it my profession, my combat weapon, my art,” she said.
Phalonne Pierre Louis said that there are quite a few photographers who have influenced his work. “I think of Muholi Zanele, Steve McCurry, Maggie Steber… to name just a few. There are also many other artists who influence my photographic world but who are not photographers,” she said.
Photo: Phalonne Pierre Louis
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