Together (2012) by Lionel Paul (ONEL)

haiticollectionpri
Feb 2
2 min read

The first thing you feel in Together (2012) is a steady, almost ceremonial presence—two forms held in a single, radiant structure, as if closeness itself has been turned into pattern, color, and sacred geometry.

A Tapestry of Two Souls, Woven as One

Set against a vivid green field sprinkled with small, confetti-like dots, the central composition rises like an icon—symmetrical, layered, and meticulously adorned. At the top, a larger figure seems to cradle the space around it, crowned by a halo of circular motifs and jewel-toned markings. Below, a smaller, mask-like face emerges within the larger shape, suggesting companionship, protection, or lineage—a bond that isn’t just emotional, but architectural.

The surface feels richly textiled: reds, pinks, golds, and deep blues knit together in dense, beaded pathways. Circles repeat like rhythmic drumbeats—some resembling buttons, coins, or celestial bodies—creating a sense of order within celebration. The figures’ faces are stylized and emblematic, with strong outlines and simplified features that feel both ancestral and timeless, as if they’re not portraits of specific people, but symbols of relationship itself.

At the bottom, a bold blue band anchors everything—like water, night, or a grounding horizon—holding the vibrant forms in place. The overall effect is intimate and monumental at once: a private closeness rendered with public brilliance, as if ONEL is saying that “together” is not small—it’s powerful.

Share Your Vision

What does “together” mean in this painting to you—comfort, unity, obligation, devotion, something else?
Do the repeated circles and ornaments feel like protection, celebration, or a coded language? Why?
If these figures could speak, what kind of vow—or story—might they be holding between them?

(Feel free to share your reflections in the comments.)