Déchoukaj’ exhibition , Ottawa school of art gallery - 2021

Written by Anastasia Katsman

The word Déchoukaj in Haitian Kréyol refers to the uprooting of a tree from the ground with all of its roots; it comes from the French word “désouchage”. The term emerged in response to the political upheaval that occurred after the exile of dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier on February 7th, 1986. Such events announced the resumption of power by the people of a particular state against the rich. Essentially, a Déchoukaj means to attack the goods and properties of corrupt notables as well as their henchmen. Finéus redefines such themes throughout her own familial perspective where ownership is defined through woman-led literature. Disassembling political power structures in Haitian history, the term Déchoukaj is portrayed as a state of existence with undisturbed biased experiences and impressions. Finéus intertwines political history in her own work, while focusing on the impact that women have in Haitian society.

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It then becomes a Déchoukaj of Haiti and its patriarchy. Having closely worked with 5 Haitian women from her entourage and family for the past year, Finéus has created a space to share their unique stories. Highlighting the artist’s focus on painted portraits as her chosen medium, the viewer is introduced with an intimate confrontation that focuses on each woman’s individual experience. These portraits, strong in symbolism, incorporate her signature use of hybrid spaces within a Canadian diasporic context. Each woman portrayed in this exhibition had the chance to respond to the stories of resistance told by Haitian women authors. This will build a bridge between fiction and reality, and the radicality of their lives will be put at the forefront.