Julio Desmont is a visual artist living in Vermont. His early inspirations come from colorful trogon birds and Haiti’s ornate “taptap” buses. Influenced by Basquiat, Kandinsky, Klee, Picasso, and O’Keeffe, his modernist style blends African totemic forms with Western art traditions and the energy of Haitian folklore and street life. His art seeks to make harmony from chaos, preserving identity and self-worth.

In 2001 he studied fine arts at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts (ENARTS) in Port-au-Prince, where he envisioned art education that centers creativity— “Educate through Art.” He trained with Haitian masters like Valcin II, Dieudonné Cédor, Ludovic Booz, Jean-Claude Garoute (Ti Ga), and Harold Alfonse, and was mentored by Dr. Michel Philippe Lherébours of the Musée d'Art Haïtien.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My practice is rooted in the cultural memory, spirituality, and visual traditions of Haiti and the African diaspora. Through painting, murals, mixed media, and community-based art, I explore identity, resilience, self-worth, and the connections that unite people across cultures.

I believe art can be both personal expression and a tool for education, dialogue, healing, and community building. My work moves between abstraction and recognizable forms, drawing inspiration from Haitian life, music, nature, spirituality, and the human experience.