I received two gifts when I came into the world:
The gift of imagination and the gift of creativity with which I try to Build bridges with the most complex humanity of our time.
Titi de Baccarat
Do I have a vision for the development of my community?
Am I developing useful skills that will serve the development of my community?
In my daily life, do I have a positive attitude and positive words that value my community?
About the Art(ist)
Bio
Titi de Baccarat is a multidisciplinary African artist who builds community, at once painter, sculptor, jeweler, clothing designer, songwriter, activist, producer and author. His authentic style is based on the use of heterogeneous materials which gives his works the ability to provoke both questions and emotions. He firmly believes that whatever form it takes and whatever functions it may have, the primary essence of art is to awaken human consciousness and harmonize the functioning of psychic faculties so that the human being can thrive, overcome the normal stresses of life, perform productive work and contribute to the life of their community”.
The Gifts and Beliefs
The effervescence of imagination and creativity that he received as a gift at birth and the metaphysical knowledge of the tradition of the Bantu ethnic group that he learned rigorously from his parents from an early age enabled him to have a completely different approach and definition of art and its function. This knowledge was reinforced in a religious way when for a particular reason he went to one of the forests in northern Gabon where he spent 6 months in the presence of pygmies. Art is a being; He says with conviction. Art is the stranger who comes to visit us. Except that this stranger who comes to visit us is invisible. Imagine that an invisible stranger comes to visit you, how do you know he is coming? How do you know he's there? How do you identify him? How do you communicate with him?
Home and Production
In Gabon, the paintings of Titi de Baccarat tell the story of the continent. He channeled his experiences of democracy, promoting a culture of peace and solidarity between communities and denouncing armed conflicts and wars that have claimed the lives of millions of people in Africa. His collection of ethnic jewelry, made with various materials - leather, wood and assorted metals - celebrates the beauty and courage of peoples in their quest for liberation. His collection of clothing for men and women, inspired by the concept of Siamese twins, consists of 27 models focused on solidarity and humanism. His essay entitled ''Ancestral sexuality in the forest of bees'' is a collection of erotic proverbs inspired by his six-month stay with the Baka in the forests of northern Gabon. Titi de Baccarat is still looking for a publisher.
Activism
Dedicated to social justice in a hostile political context, Titi de Baccarat organized an exhibition in which he presented two categories of portraits of African presidents. Those of the dictators and those of the nationalists .... Kidnapped and tortured then released, he was forced to flee his country, Gabon, with only the wealth of his artistic ability.
New Home and Communities
He moved to Portland, Maine in February 2015 and despite the many barriers such as language, he is convinced that "art has the capacity to rehabilitate love, to bring people together from all countries, origins, cultures and ethnicities".
He immediately set to work by collecting artistic collaborations, art exhibitions and artistic residencies such as at the University of Maine, Berwick Academy, Space gallery, Indigo Arts Alliance...drawing on his African identity and artistic expertise to formally introduce himself to the Maine artistic community and to help build a more inclusive community. Titi African book My story - YouTube
The Unease
Later, he felt a deep unease when he violently discovered the contemptuous and unjust treatment that some communities continue to suffer in the United States.
He then decided to broaden the themes of his artistic work to the question of social justice and diversity to accentuate a better awareness and encourage people to fight against all forms of inequality/discrimination.
He sets up community projects such as the Kneeling Art Photography Project to give local populations the opportunity to express their solidarity by demonstrating their commitment to justice and equality alongside minorities.
www.thekneelingartphotography.com
In 2020, he created artwork inspired by the American political climate and the evolution/revolution of civil rights for Black people. Two of his works including a photograph titled ''I Can't Breathe'' had been selected by the Portland Museum of Art to be part of the exhibition titled "Untitled, 2020: Art From Maine In A______Time" Titi de Baccarat — Portland Museum of Art
Millennium goals
As a community builder, he wants to revisit present and past history with fresh eyes to imagine an alternative future focused on how we could make happiness a collective project.
As an artist he is interested in making visible the diversity that exists in Maine cities through permanent public art.
As an activist, he is interested in creating socially engaging events that highlight activism as an instrument of liberation and change.
Mouyanga Bayidi Lingwala
CV & Press
Book
2023 - Book Publishing Taking a Knee for Change
Public Art
2022 - The Reason We Come Together, 575 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
2020 - 2022 - The Art of Dying on One Knee and Rising from Dead on Your Feet
754 Congress Street, Portland, ME
Commission Work
2021 - "We Are Here To Learn, Listen And Act Together" by Allagash Brewery
2019 - Palaver Strings, WELCOME HOME CONCERT, Portland, ME
Installation
2020 - "1968": The timeline of a history of symbols, Space gallery, Portland, ME
Solo Exhibition
2020 - Who Is It, Portland Media Center, Portland, ME
2020 - Colors, Lines, and Shapes, Coffee by design, Portland, Maine
2018 - With The Heart With The Reason, Railroad Square Cinema, Waterville, ME
Group Exhibition
2022 - Afrofuturism, Creen Acre, Elliot, ME
2022 - Resilience Week, MECA, Portland, ME
2021 - The Kneeling Art Photo exhibit 5, UMaine, Orono, ME
2021 - The Kneeling Art Photo Exhibit 4, UMVA gallery, Portland, Maine
2021 - The Kneeling Art Photo exhibit 3, Colby college, Waterville, ME
2021 - The kneeling Art Photo exhibit 2, Francis Hotel, Portland, Maine
2021 - The Kneeling Art Photo exhibit 1, 525 Danforth St, Portland, Maine
2021 - Love/Rage: The Goddess in all her guises, Online exhibition
2021 - Untitled, 2020: Art from Maine in a __ Time, Portland Museum of Art, Portland, Maine
2020 - The Mix: A Look Into American Diversity, New System Exhibitions, Portland, ME
2020 - Free Fall, Sistered, Portland, Maine
2020 - Nano, Engine Gallery, Biddeford, Maine
2020 - Resilience, Maine College of Art, Portland, Maine
2019 - Inherited Beauty, Green Acre, Eliot, Maine
2019 - Fortitude, Arta Custom Framing, Falmouth, Maine
2019 - Afro Futurism, Green Acre, Eliot, Maine
2019 - The Way Life Is, Portland Media Center, Portland, Maine
2018 - Home, Reflections On Place, Portland Public Library, Portland, Maine
2018 - Migration Experience, Portland Media Center, Portland, Maine
2018-2019 - Maine Eats: The food revolution starts here, Maine Historical Society, Portland, ME
2018 - People On The Move, Camden Public Library, Camden, Maine
2017-2018 - Fall Art Exhibit, Creative Portland, Portland, Maine
2017-2018 - Spark !, Maine Historical Society, Portland, Maine
2017 - Arrival, Waterfall Arts, Belfast, Maine
2017 - Portland Fine Craft Show, Portland, Maine
2017 - PMA Employee Art Exhibition, Portland Museum of Art, Portland, Maine
2017 - A Distant Holla, Abyssinian Meeting House, Portland, Maine
2017 - Vibe Art Gallery, Somersworth, NH
2016 - Portland Fine Craft Show, Portland, Maine
2016 - The Continuum for Creativity, Westbrook, Maine
2016 - On The Map, 3S Artspace, Portsmouth, NH
2016 - Art In Exodus, Maine College of Art, Portland, Maine
2015 - Space gallery, Portland. Maine
Panel
2023 - Producer Taking a Knee for Change RoundTable
2021 - Producer of The Kneeling Art Roundtable 1 - YouTube
2021 - Panelist Social justice through the lens of my camera, UMaine, Orono, Maine
2021 - Panelist Community Art Activism, Colby College, Waterville, Maine
2020 - Panelist ART + DISCUSSION, Green Acre, Eliot, Maine
2018 - Panelist Artist's Talk Panel, Speedwell Project, Portland, Maine
Curating
2019 - Member of the curatorial team IMMERSION, Creative Portland, Portland, Maine
2019 - Member of the curatorial team ART IN EXODUS, Maine College of Art, Portland, Maine
2018 - Co-curator Migration Experience - Reflections of Maine Immigrant Artists
Portland Media Center, Portland, ME
Honor
2022 - Grantee of Maine Humanities Council Major Grant Award
2022 - Grantee of the Kindling Fund
2020 - Artist residency at Space gallery, Portland, ME
2019 - Artist residency at Indigo Arts Alliance, Portland, Maine
2019 - Artist residency at University of Maine, Orono, ME
2019 - Artist residency at Berwick Academy, Berwick, ME
2019 - Participant: Race Amity Conference, Quincy, Boston
2018 - Fellowship at Pickwick Independent Press, Portland, ME
Collaboration
2023 - Social Justice Workshop with Community Organizing Alliance, Lewiston ME
2023 - Workshop Taking a Knee for Change, King Middle School, Portland, ME
2021 - The kneeling Art RoundTable 1, Portland Media center, Portland, Maine
2021 - The kneeling Art Photography Project kick Off, Monument Square, Portland, Maine
2020 - Counting For Thirteen, 754 Congress Street, Portland, ME
2020 - Music video Never Alone, with Myles Bullen. Portland, ME
2020 - Music video I Am Not for Everyone, with Myles Bullen. Portland, ME
2019 - CURING: FORTH- artists engaged in creative experimentation, Portland, ME
2018 - Our Wishing Houses: Home, Portland Public Library, Portland, ME
2018 - Workshop, Monson Arts, Monson, ME
2018 - CURING: TREE - artists engaged in creative experimentation, Hewnoaks Artist Colony, Lovell, ME
2018 - Workshop, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Haystack, ME
2018 - Workshop Children are the heirs to the world adults give them, Gardiner Regional School, Gardiner, ME
2018 - Workshop, how to draw to your unique talent to create the reality you need in time of crisis, St. George Elementary School, Tenants Harbor, ME
2018 - Workshop Community Voices, Telling Room, Portland, ME
2017 - Music video I AM with Myles Bullen ft Hannah Harleen, Portland, ME
2017 - Workshop, Telling Room, Portland, ME
2017 - Workshop + poetry performance, South Portland High School, South Portland, ME
2016 - New Mainers Project, Maine Historical Society, Portland, ME
2015 - New Mainers Project, Berwick, ME
Film and Commercials
2019 - Thomas Moser Furniture, Derek Kimball, Last House Productions
2018 - Yellow Wagtail, Ian Carlsen and Jeffrey Griecci
Press
Portland Museum of Art - Titi de Baccarat identifies as a painter, sculptor, clothing designer, jeweler, and writer
Titi de Baccarat — Portland Museum of Art
Art review: A window into activism among Black athletes
The Portland Phoenix - Portland artist Titi de Baccarat: Kneeling in the face of the American myth
Portland artist Titi de Baccarat: Kneeling in the face of the American myth | The Portland Phoenix
UMaine Research News - Researcher in Residence Titi de Baccarat brings light as he shares his culture
Researcher in Residence Titi de Baccarat brings light as he shares his culture (umaine.edu)
Titi De Baccarat - Intermedia Programs - University of Maine (umaine.edu)
Amjambo Africa - Artist Titi de Baccarat's Show Urges Compassion and Responsibility
Artist Titi de Baccarat's Show Urges Compassion and Responsibility - Amjambo Africa
Portland Press Herald - Mainers take a knee for photo project aimed at combating racism
Mainers take a knee for photo project aimed at combating racism - Portland Press Herald
Wabi tv - Mainers take a knee for photo project aimed at combating racism
‘The Kneeling Art Photography Project’ at UMaine (wabi.tv)
Vibe gallery opens in Hilltop City (fosters.com)
Amjambo Africa - Kneeling Art Photography Project
Kneeling Art Photography Project - Amjambo Africa
The Maine Campus - The ‘Kneeling Art Photography Project:’ a powerful show of solidarity
The ‘Kneeling Art Photography Project:’ a powerful show of solidarity – The Maine Campus
Bangor Daily News - Arts and social justice exhibit opens in-person in Portland June 4
Arts and social justice exhibit opens in-person in Portland June 4 (bangordailynews.com)
Maine Public - The Kneeling Art Photography Project Highlights Mainers Taking A Knee
The Kneeling Art Photography Project Highlights Mainers Taking A Knee | Maine Public
Amjambo Africa! (September 2021) (maine.edu)
Portland Press Herald - Artist asks who’s responsible for changing the world
Artist asks who’s responsible for changing the world - Portland Press Herald
Parie-Visual-Art - Kneeling Fine Art Photography Project Highlights Mainers Kneeling – Parie Visual Art
Munjoy Hill News - Celebrating a Baccarat Sculpture That is a "Resistance to Oppression"
The Maine Mag - A Place of Reflection
A Place of Reflection - The Maine Mag
mainememory.net - "My Africa Book" and living in Portland - My Maine Stories
"My Africa Book" and living in Portland - My Maine Stories (mainememory.net)
Of Black History month and their work, Black and brown artists say, ‘it’s complicated’
OBP Member Profile: Titi de Baccarat - Open Bench Project (obportland.org)
Titi De Baccarat - The Maine Arts Journal: The UMVA Quarterly
ME: Portland unveils 5 new artsy bus stop shelters | Mass Transit (masstransitmag.com)
Unique Bus Stop Adds Color to Congress Street in Portland, Maine (wjbq.com)
Five more artistic bus shelters to be installed in Portland - Portland Press Herald
New creative bus stops in Portland hope to promote diversity | newscentermaine.com
What is your idea of democracy Video by John Image (youtube.com)
Taking a Knee for Change is a book featuring photographs (taken months after the murder of George Floyd by 10 Maine photographers) of people who live in Maine and work to end racism and achieve social justice in Maine today. The book combines both photographs of the Mainers taking a knee and stories about their personal experience with social justice. www.thekneelingartphotography.com
.jpg)