Levoy Exil
A Visionary of Haitian Vodou Art
Levoy Exil stands as one of Haiti’s most distinctive artistic voices, a pivotal figure within the Saint Soleil movement and celebrated for his mesmerizing depictions of Vodou spirituality. Born in 1944 in Soisson-la-Montagne, Haiti, he embodies the spirit of Haitian folk art—a raw, emotive expression rooted in ancestral traditions and imbued with profound symbolism. His journey into painting began in 19
72, coinciding with his immersion in the Saint Soleil workshops cofounded by Tiga and Maude Robart, a collaborative endeavor that profoundly shaped his artistic vision. Before finding his calling on the canvas, Exil worked as a mason, a background that perhaps informs the structural precision found within his vibrant, layered compositions.
Exil’s formative years were marked by exposure to Haitian culture and Vodou beliefs—a religion c…
