Artist Statement

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"Celestine" by Darlene Noisette Ferguson

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Celestine is a conceptual portrait of my great-grandmother *4th generation who migrated to Charleston in 1794 from Haiti with her French husband, Philippe Stanislas Noisette.  As a mestiza woman living in the pre-civil war south, she as most people of color were deemed a slave.  Fortunately for my family, her husband did not feel the same, instead loving her and their children despite the evil injustice that surrounded them. 

 

Celestine is clothed in emerald green to convey that value was placed on green money and emeralds instead of the priceless human soul.  This painting pays homage to all human life and a prayer that like my grandfather, we place value of all human beings above material wealth.

 

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