Haitian Vodou Drapo by Clotaire Bazile, c.1980s–90s.

This original Haitian Vodou drapo was created by master flagmaker Clotaire Bazile in the 1980s–90s. Measuring 16 x 18 inches, the sequined textile features a bold cross/tree form, with the inscription “Agasso Vemin” stitched across the upper edge. The flag bears Bazile’s signature “CB” at the bottom.

The invocation references Agassou, a lwa in Haitian Vodou often associated with ancestry, lineage, and protection. Bazile, active in Port-au-Prince, emerged within a generation of artists who helped transform Vodou flags from strictly ritual objects into highly regarded works of art collected worldwide. Working alongside contemporaries such as Myrlande Constant, Evelyne Alcide, and the Saint Soleil circle, Bazile became known for his refined use of sequins, symmetrical compositions, and ability to balance spiritual meaning with bold visual impact.

During this period, Port-au-Prince’s drapo ateliers flourished, supported by both local temples and international collectors. Artists like Bazile brought fresh creativity to long-standing traditions, preserving Vodou iconography while expanding its reach into galleries and museums. Today, examples of Bazile’s work are held in major collections, including the Fowler Museum at UCLA, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Musée d’Art Haïtien in Port-au-Prince, underscoring his significance in the development of contemporary Haitian textile art.