ENG
Joseph Alex Olivier Vilaire (b. Haïti, l. Canada), known as Oski Awoyo, employs his art as a vehicle for self-decolonization, self-discovery, and transcendence. Vilaire infuses his work with the colors, rhythms, and energy of his homeland. He derives inspiration from nature and from the marks left behind by humans, animals, and elements on surfaces. He often finds meaning that resonates with his personal journey by drawing parallels from Haitian mythologies and beyond. Vilaire believes in the transformative power of art to emancipate the soul. His work has been presented at Galerie Hugues Charbonneau, Fonderie Darling, CIDIHCA, Livart, Conseil des arts de Montréal, Maison d'Haïti and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
https://www.repslabel.com/en/projects/livart/
FR
Joseph Alex Olivier Vilaire (n. Haïti, v. Canada), connu sous le nom d'Oski Awoyo, utilise son art comme un véhicule d'auto-décolonisation, de découverte de soi et de transcendance. Vilaire imprègne son travail des couleurs, des rythmes et de l'énergie de sa terre natale. Il puise son inspiration dans la nature et dans les marques laissées par les humains, les animaux et les éléments sur les surfaces. Il trouve souvent un sens qui résonne avec son parcours personnel en tirant des parallèles avec les mythologies haïtiennes et au-delà̀. Vilaire croit au pouvoir transformateur de l'art pour émanciper l'âme. Son travail a notamment été présenté à la Galerie Hugues Charbonneau, Fonderie Darling, au CIDIHCA, au Livart, au Conseil des arts de Montréal, à la Maison d’Haïti et au Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal.
Photo Credit: Olivier Stainvil
Instagram: @oski.awoyo
Email: Oliviervilaire@gmail.com
CV
2025: Creative Director for 3 Pierres 1 Feu restaurant of Chef Paul Toussaint
2025: Group exhibition: Échos de l’Âme: hommage à Jacques Roumain, TOHU
https://tohu.ca/en/season/echos-de-lame-hommage-a-jacques-roumain
2024: “Radar” Gallery Hugues Charbonneau, Montreal Canada
2024: SINGULIERS art fair, Fonderie Darling, Montreal, Canada
https://fonderiedarling.org/SINGULIERS
2023: “Music for the World of Tomorrow” Malam Museum, Sculptures George Liautaud (1899-1991) Curators: James Oscar, Oski Awoyo Music: Theo Abellard
Video: https://malammuseum.org/pagedacceuill-home
2023: “Au delá de la fantasmagorie” Vivardy Boursiquot, Gregory Jean Baptiste, CIDIHCA, Montreal, Canada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=dcR4G7TLjoE
2023: "Spirit of the Gods, Spirit of the Places" Marie Michèle Cron, Montreal Arts Council
2022: Group exhibition, By Dominique Fontaine "Sovereign Imaginaries" Janine Sutto Cultural Center, Montreal, Canada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kR-8xnCXyI
https://montreal.ca/evenements/imaginaires-souverains-33735
2022: "United in Flames", James Oscar, Fauna Fauna, Montreal, QC.
2022: "Between the Knots of Time,” by Joséphine Denis Livart, Montreal, Canada
https://lelivart.com/en/exhibition/entre-les-noeuds-du-temps/
2022: MAADI group exhibition, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MBAM)
2022: "NOULA" group exhibit, by Yvena Despagne Buick Building, Miami, FL, USA
https://repeatingislands.com/2022/05/16/art-exhibition-noula/
2022: "Tutu: Diddy Ain't Invent The Remix," group exhibit Tone Gallery by Nic[o] Brierre Aziz Memphis, TN, USA
https://www.tonememphis.org/past/itutu-diddy-aint-invent-the-remix
2021: "State of Flux”, Group Exhibit Lil Haiti, RAD GALLERY curated by Diego Anaya Miami, FL, USA
https://www.radgalleryhaiti.com/
2020: "What Compels Me to Compel Them,” by Josephine Denis Le Livart, Montreal, Canada
https://lelivart.com/en/exhibition/voila-ce-qui-me-somme-a-les-sommer/
2020: Artistic Director of Kamuy Restaurant, Place des Arts, Montreal, Canada
2020: Carnival float Decor for Arcade Fire, KREWE DU KANAVAL, New Orleans, LA, USA
2019: "In a Time of Exodus," solo exhibition, Maison d'Haïti, Montreal, Canada
https://www.mhaiti.org/web/qui-sommes-nous/
Notable Collections:
Musée MAADI by Stanley Février https://www.fevrierstanley.com/maadi
Mémoire d’Encrier https://memoiredencrier.com/
Maison d’Haiti https://www.mhaiti.org/web/
Other Links:
https://www.repslabel.com/en/projects/livart/
https://viedesarts.com/en/reviews-en/oski-du-spiralisme-en-peinture/