Elizabeth artist Kervin Andre hopes to give others a sense of pride, heritage, culture and true knowledge of themselves through his artwork. Photo courtesy of Kervin Andre
As a child growing up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Kervin Andre spent time doodling and reading Marvel comics. He soon realized that every time he wanted to say something, he would reach for his sketchbook.
“There were things I wanted to say verbally and couldn’t express myself,” said Andre, 46, of Elizabeth. “The only way was through paper. It was one of the places where I released anger or frustration or found peace.”
When he came to America with his family at age 15, he noticed a huge gap between the real identity of African Americans and Haitians and what was being portrayed in history books or in the news media. The perspective mostly came from scholars of other ethnic groups, he said.
“How do I tell the history of my people through my lens, through the perspective of me. So, the context of my artwork changed a bit,” he said.
So, once again, he reached for his sketchbook, and began drawing images of men, women and children who showed strength and resilience, and gave what he believed to be a true representation of historical events.
The theme of resilience in the face of adversity comes through Andre’s pieces, and he draws inspiration from situations he encountered in Haiti. Photo courtesy of Kervin Andre
After attending an art show that inspired him to pursue art as a career, Andre, who was working as a retail manager, quit his job and created his own business, AkomicsArt, which showcases his work. He said it was a leap of faith fraught with uncertainty and risks, but one that has paid off.
Aside from an online presence, his work is showcased at New Brunswick’s Above Art Studio and at two lounges: Rebel Lounge in New York City, as well as First Republic in Elizabeth.
The theme of resilience in the face of adversity comes through Andre’s pieces, and he draws inspiration from situations he encountered in Haiti. A devastating earthquake, for example, might lead a person to give up, but he also saw that people always have hope, and that is strength.
“Even with agony and pain, there’s hope. Even if you’re somebody chained up, there’s hope of breaking out of that,” he said. “When you talk about Haiti, a lot of times you hear about the poorest country in the West. That same country helped free South America. There’s good and bad in everything.”
Andre wants people to think of the “before” and “after” in his paintings, the cause and effect.
“When you look at somebody breaking out of bondage, what happened to put them here, and what’s to come?” he said.
Andre uses an African proverb as artistic inspiration: ‘Until the lion has his or her own storyteller, the hunter will always have the best part of the story.’ Photo courtesy of Kervin Andre
Three years ago, Andre published his first book, “Sheroes of the Haitian Revolution,” which shines a light on a few of the women who participated in the Haitian Revolution of 1804. His second book, “The Heroes of the Haitian Revolution,” focuses on showing how the Moors brought culture to Europe when they took over Spain and Portugal.
Andre said he thinks about the quote, “Until the lion has his or her own storyteller, the hunter will always have the best part of the story.” It is from an African proverb.
“If God gave you something, he gave it to you for a reason,” he said. “I want to be a voice for the voiceless. It’s a responsibility to kind of change the narrative in a way.”
To view more of Andre’s work, visit akomicsart.com.
A veteran reporter of The Star-Ledger, where for 21 years she covered news stories and lifestyle features, Carmen Juri is now a high school teacher and freelance writer. She’s also the mother of two teenagers and a globetrotter who loves to cook and attend the theater.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe here for in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.
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