We were lucky to catch up with Xavier Dalencour recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Xavier , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism comes from resilience—the unshakable belief that creativity is a force of resistance. Growing up in Haiti, I was immersed in an environment where art, music, and intellectual discourse were always present, yet I resisted the idea of becoming an artist. I thought my path was elsewhere, in the corporate world. But art never let me go. It was always there, taking root deeper and deeper, waiting for me to fully embrace it.
The defining moment came in 2010. I had just finalized plans for my first collective exhibition in Haiti when the earthquake struck, bringing unimaginable devastation. Everything stopped. In that moment of uncertainty, I realized that art was not just something I did—it was what kept me grounded, what gave me purpose. That realization led me to fully commit, to organize my first solo exhibition in Haiti, and later, to co-found Kolektif 509 in 2014.
Art is not just about self-expression; it is about survival. It is a tool to fight against the chaos, to push back against the instability that constantly threatens to silence us. Through Kolektif 509, I have not only created but also helped foster a space for other Haitian artists to continue their work despite political turmoil, violence, and economic hardships. Our art is our voice, our weapon against oblivion, our declaration that we exist, that we will not be erased.
Haiti’s struggles have made artistic creation difficult, even impossible at times. But I refuse to stop. Art, to me, is an act of defiance—it is the refusal to let darkness win. My optimism is not naive; it is the certainty that no matter the circumstances, artists will always create, and through our work, we will continue to resist, to inspire, and to build something lasting.
Art is resistance! Art is life!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a Haitian-French artist, curator, writer, and educator, born in Port-au-Prince on February 17, 1981, into a family of teachers and intellectuals. From an early age, I was immersed in an environment that valued creativity, and I naturally took to drawing and painting. However, the idea of pursuing art as a vocation did not initially occur to me. After completing high school in 2000, I pursued studies in management and social sciences at the University of Bordeaux, earning master’s degrees in political science, geography, and business administration. Though I began a doctoral thesis in political science and international relations, I did not complete it, as art had increasingly taken precedence in my life.
My artistic journey is deeply connected to the cultural and social challenges faced by my community. Following the 2010 earthquake, I not only focused on my own artistic practice but also took significant steps to support fellow Haitian artists by co-founding Kolektif 509. This collective has provided a vital platform for emerging Haitian artists, helping them gain visibility and navigate the complexities of the art world, especially in times of national crisis. My work often explores the fragmentation of identity and the struggles of Haitian society, making art a powerful means of processing trauma and advocating for resilience.
Beyond my artistic and curatorial work, I have also ventured into publishing. In 2024, I founded Blak Atlantik, a publishing house dedicated to promoting and amplifying the voices of Haitian, Caribbean, and Afro-descendant artists from both sides of the Atlantic. This project is particularly close to my heart, as it seeks to analyze and document the art of Afro-descendant communities from their own perspectives, rather than through an external lens. The first publication, Kolektif 509: A Haitian Contemporary Art Experience—a bilingual English-French book—was released in 2024. A second book, a monograph on the Haitian video artist Maksaens Denis, is currently in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Despite the lack of institutional support, we remain committed to seeing this project through and are actively seeking distributors for our first book in Europe and North America.
In addition to my work as an artist, curator, and publisher, I am also an educator. I teach geography, geopolitics, and economics at the high school level, sharing my knowledge and passion for these subjects with young minds. Education has always been a central part of my journey, and I see teaching as an extension of my commitment to fostering critical thinking and cultural awareness.
Given the challenges of the Haitian art market and the difficulty of exhibiting both my work and that of the artists of Kolektif 509 internationally, I have taken on various roles in the petroleum industry, marketing consulting, and education.
My mission in life is to shine a light on Haitian and Caribbean artists and creatives, documenting their work and showcasing a part of the art world that has been overlooked for far too long. Through art, curatorial initiatives, publishing, and education, I aim to foster a deeper understanding of contemporary Afro-Caribbean artistic expressions and ensure that these narratives reach a global audience.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three key qualities have been most impactful in my journey:
1. Determination and Resilience – Throughout my career, I have faced numerous challenges, from the instability of the Haitian art scene to the difficulties of sustaining artistic and cultural initiatives without institutional support. Despite these obstacles, I never allowed setbacks to define my path. Co-founding Kolektif 509 in 2014 was a direct response to these challenges—creating a space where Haitian artists could thrive despite adversity. My persistence has also been evident in my efforts to establish Blak Atlantik, a publishing house dedicated to giving Afro-Caribbean artists a voice in the global art world.
Advice: Resilience is built through experience. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and remember that setbacks are often stepping stones to greater achievements. The key is to keep pushing forward with a clear vision, no matter the obstacles.
2. Commitment to Excellence and Authenticity – Whether in my work as an artist, curator, educator, or writer, I have always sought to uphold high standards while remaining true to my vision. I believe that art, culture, and knowledge must be approached with depth and integrity. When I founded Blak Atlantik, my goal was not only to publish books but to create meaningful, well-researched, and high-quality works that highlight the narratives of Haitian and Afro-descendant artists from their own perspectives. Excellence, to me, is not just about skill—it is about intention, purpose, and impact.
Advice: Never settle for mediocrity. Invest in continuous learning, refine your craft, and surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Success is not just about talent—it’s about the discipline and dedication you bring to your work.
3. Empathy and Community Engagement – I have always believed that true success is not individual but collective. My work with Kolektif 509 and my role as a teacher of geography, geopolitics, and economics at the high school level have reinforced the importance of nurturing others. Whether through curating exhibitions, mentoring young artists, or writing books that document and analyze Afro-descendant art, my goal has always been to uplift others and create opportunities for growth.
Advice: Success is more fulfilling when it is shared. Build meaningful relationships, collaborate, and contribute to the success of others. The more you uplift those around you, the more your own work will have lasting value.
In the end, my journey has been shaped by a deep sense of purpose—to document, elevate, and celebrate the artistic and cultural expressions of Haiti and the Caribbean. For those at the beginning of their journey, my advice is simple: be resilient in the face of challenges, commit to excellence in everything you do, and always strive to make a difference in the lives of others.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, I am always open to collaboration. As an artist, I am actively seeking opportunities to connect with other creatives to exchange ideas, develop projects, and expand the visibility of my work. At the moment, I do not have gallery representation, which makes it challenging to promote my art while also managing my role as a curator, publisher, and advocate for Haitian and Caribbean artists.
I am particularly interested in working with galleries, curators, art institutions, and collectors who share a passion for contemporary Haitian and Caribbean art. I am also looking to collaborate with fellow artists on creative projects that push boundaries and explore new perspectives. Additionally, I am committed to continuing my work with Blak Atlantik, publishing and distributing books that document and analyze the art of Afro-descendant communities.
Balancing the creation and promotion of both my art and my publishing work, while also supporting other artists, is a challenge I embrace, but I would welcome support and collaboration from individuals or institutions that believe in this mission.
If you are interested in collaborating, you can easily reach me through my social media or my personal website at www.xavierdalencour.com. I would love to connect and explore ways we can work together to elevate and promote Haitian and Caribbean art worldwide.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.xavierdalencour.com/english.html
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xavier_dalencour/
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/xdalencour
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-dalencour-6a384424/
- Twitter: @xavierdalencour
Image Credits
The picture is from
Marc L Steed
Phaïdra Sterlin
Xavier Dalencour
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.