HILAIRE Shneider Léon
Art is, for me, a way of creating my own universe and accessing realms that the sensory world rarely offers me. I draw my inspiration from the ups and downs of everyday life, from small things that might seem trivial, from everything that disturbs humanity and calls into question the trilogical relationship between humans, plants, and animals.My work is deeply infused with symbolism. In my paintings, I address subjects that reference melancholy, religion, mythology, dreams… I want the colors I apply to create a sense of depth for those who look at my paintings. I try to convey emotions through the colors I use; they play an expressive role rather than a descriptive one.
Shneider Léon HILAIRE, artistic approach. 2020
Born in Port-au-Prince on April 7, 1990, Shneider Léon HILAIRE developed a strong interest in drawing at an early age, copying cartoon characters. His mother, Rose-Marie Hilaire, nurtured his early talent by buying him pencils and paper, hoping he would one day become a great painter.
However, Shneider had a different dream: he aspired to become a doctor and did not envision a career in the arts. After finishing high school, faced with the high tuition fees of private universities, he enrolled in free courses at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) to prepare for the entrance exam to the Faculty of Medicine at the State University of Haiti. Unfortunately, he did not succeed.
After failing the entrance exams, Shneider began creating realistic commissioned portraits, encouraged by the success of his very first attempt. Seeing the growing enthusiasm for his work, he eventually decided to deepen his artistic knowledge by applying to the National School of Art (ENARTS). Unfortunately, he did not pass the entrance exam. Disheartened by these two setbacks, he enrolled in law school in the meantime.
Ironically, it was this second failure that led him to discover the Centre d’Art. He began attending classes and workshops, refining his painting technique and strengthening his personal style thanks to the guidance of renowned international artists such as Pascale Monnin, Marie-Hélène Cauvin, SIMIL, Frantz Zéphirin, and Mario Benjamin.
In 2020, during his first exhibition at the Centre d’Art alongside his peers, Shneider presented paintings inspired by the Haitian night, featuring legendary figures and myths drawn from local culture. Following the resounding success of his work, he decided to abandon his law studies permanently and devote himself entirely to art.
Rooted in his cultural heritage, Shneider creates complex works rich in symbolism and storytelling. His compositions focus on nuanced shades of black and white, enhanced with touches of red, blue, and green to evoke emotions or illustrate specific ideas. The interplay of colors, the subtlety of his gradients, and the striking contrasts between light and dark demonstrate a high level of technical mastery. Each of Shneider’s canvases offers a unique interpretation of the relationships between humans and spirits in the Vodou universe.
His themes explore religion, society, and spirituality in Haiti. His paintings often touch on sadness, mythology, religion, and dreams. Shneider’s work is neither judgmental nor didactic; rather, his symbolist approach serves to recount local folk tales, myths, and legends. To this end, he engages in extensive anthropological research to document and preserve local oral traditions.
To this end, the artist undertakes extensive anthropological research aimed at documenting and preserving local oral traditions. His journeys to various remote regions of Haiti allow him to collect ethnographic material that nourishes his highly symbolic paintings.
In response to a call for proposals launched by the Centre d’Art in February 2022, Shneider submitted an artistic project that was selected by the jury, along with seven others, to receive funding for its execution. The artworks created with the support of this grant were showcased during the restitution and sales exhibition held in July 2022.
That same year, the young visual artist—eager to seize every opportunity—applied for an artistic research residency offered by the Quatre Chemins association. His main goal was to explore how myths and legends influence the daily lives of Haitians living along the coastline in Côtes-de-Fer. He also took part in the virtual exhibition “Rencontre des couleurs,” held by the Maison des Passages in France, alongside three other young Haitian artists.
The Centre d’Art regards Shneider Léon Hilaire as one of the emerging young artists who represent the future of the institution. This recognition is not a meaningless label, but a genuine acknowledgment of the quality of his work, which has been evident since his very first academic drawing class with Pascale Monnin in 2016.
Shneider Léon Hilaire currently lives and works in Haiti.
EXHIBITIONS
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SOLO
2024, Nou ak sa n pa wè yo [Us and the Invisibles], Magnin-A Gallery, Paris, France.
2023, Rituals and Ceremonies, Green Space Miami, Miami, USA.
2022, Myths and Legends of the Côtes-de-Fer Coastline, Residency Restitution. 19th Festival Quatre Chemins, Yanvalou Bar, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
GROUP
2023, Art Basel Miami Beach, Fredric Snitzer Gallery, Miami, USA.
2023, Confluence(s), Akroustik Prod, Maison Dufort, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2022, Restitution Sale, Creative Support Program. Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2022, Rencontre des couleurs, La Maison des Passages, Lyon, France.
2020, La Relève, exhibition-restoration, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2019, Carte Blanche to Sébastien Jean, Creative Workshop, Figuier Maudit restitution, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2018, Re-VIZITE, Haitian Art Transfigured, Le Centre d’Art and Institut Français d’Haïti (IFH), Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2016, 10th Anniversary of Konpayi Teyat Zo Flanbo, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
ILLUSTRATIONS
2023, UN OCHA, Overview of Humanitarian Needs in Haiti; Humanitarian Program Cycle, March 2023.
2020, KRE.I.S, Haitian Review of Creole Cultures #3. Margin / Arebò, February 2020.
TRAINING
2023, Multimedia Creation Workshop with Pascale MONNIN; tribute to Jacques Stéphen Alexis, Feb 14–16; Feb 23–Mar 2, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2022, Carte Blanche to Lionel SAINT ELOI, Apr 7 – May 14, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2021, Carte Blanche to PASKO, Apr 13–23, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2021, Carte Blanche to Celeur Jean HERARD, May 6–29, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2019, Stencil-Power Poster Workshop, with Ralph DUPOUX and Teresa SDRALEVICH, FOKAL – Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2019, Carte Blanche to Sébastien JEAN – Figuier Maudit workshop restitution, Mar 9, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2018, Research and Creation Workshop with Mario BENJAMIN, Sep 19 – Oct 6, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2018, Open Workshop with Frantz ZÉPHIRIN, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2017, Research and Creativity Workshop – Linocut with Marie Hélène CAUVIN, Jun 10–17, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2017, Academic Drawing with SIMIL, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2016, Academic Drawing with Pascale MONNIN, Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
2016, Comic Book Workshop, /trois/cent/soixante Review and CESAN, Pyepoudre, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
ARTISTIC RESIDENCIES & GRANTS
2024, Wi’anArt Residency, February 2024, Guadeloupe (Identities and Collective Memories).
2022, Par 4 Chemins Residency, 9th Edition of the International Theatre Festival Quatre Chemins, Côtes-de-Fer, Haiti (Myths and Legends series – 6 paintings, 40 x 50 inches).
2022, Grant – Support for Creation Program (Call for Proposals), Swiss Embassy and Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Nou ak sa n’pa wè yo series – 11 paintings, 60 x 50 inches).
2020, Grant – Young Shoots Program (Call for Proposals), Le Centre d’Art, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Haitian Night series – 12 paintings, 36 x 40 inches).
INSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS
2018, Mural for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Lascahobas, Haiti.
2017, Mural for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ganthier, Haiti.
2010, Mural for World Vision, Juvenat, Pétion-ville, Haiti.
ARTICLES
BONHOMME Adlyne. Shneider Léon Hilaire, between questioning and wonder. Palmes magazine, Port-au-Prince, November 25, 2022.
FEROLUS Guy, VITAL Tcheïta, REGNAULT Chantal. Us and the Invisibles, Haïti Inter, [Port-au-Prince, Paris], 2023.
FRANCISQUE Jameson. Shneider Léon Hilaire wanted to be a doctor, but painting prevailed, Ayibopost, Port-au-Prince, November 20, 2022.
FRANCISQUE Jameson. Werewolves, nudity, monsters: Centre d’Art students exhibit, Port-au-Prince, December 20, 2020.
PIERRE Carl-Henry. Shneider Hilaire, painter of magical realism. Le Nouvelliste, Port-au-Prince, July 20, 2022.
L’HELGOUALCH Frédéric. Voodoo Spirits in Paris: the inhabited exhibition of Shneider Léon Hilaire, Le Club de Mediapart, January 24, 2024.
WEBOGRAPHY
https://www.magnin-a.com/exhibitions/
https://www.magnin-a.com/exhibitions/273-shneider-leon-hilaire-nou-ak-sa-n-pa-we-yo-nous/overview/
https://palmes-magazine.com/schneider-leon-hilaire-entre-questionnement-et-emerveillement/
https://ayibopost.com/shneider-leon-hilaire-peintre-malgre-lui/
https://lenouvelliste.com/article/237111/shneider-hilaire-peintre-du-realisme-merveilleux?fbclid=IwAR1CspGGM0cO0K_4FdiCiYhvKNKubKVEuk7JY9sHuLc3fEk3YtmWz_uAOlE
https://blogs.mediapart.fr/frederic-lhelgoualch/blog/240124/esprits-vaudou-paris-l-exposition-habitee-de-shneider-leon-hilaire?fbclid=IwAR2wOUl5S2JWUKR0WVpzc_NS1UATWut9twbB2PFaZ5_dmFsTTNmthkS6Guw
https://www.facebook.com/haitiinter.fr/videos/744759917247470
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=610370684192973
https://www.facebook.com/GalerieMagninA
https://www.facebook.com/profile/100063768361689/search/?q=hilaire
https://www.facebook.com/100063661039533/posts/869627815169245/?mibextid=WiMSqg