Haitian Master Painter · Saint Soleil Movement
Levoy Exil
Renowned Haitian Painter
The artist
About the Artist
Levoy Exil, born on October 19, 1944, in Soissons-la-Montagne Fermathe, is a celebrated Haitian artist known for his pivotal role in the Saint Soleil art movement. Beginning his artistic journey in 1972, he joined the Saint Soleil workshops initiated by the renowned artist Tiga in 1973. This groundbreaking experiment empowered mountain-dwelling peasants with no prior exposure to art to explore spirituality and creativity, garnering international attention.
In 1975, the influential French novelist and art historian André Malraux visited Saint Soleil, recognizing the artists as conduits for spiritual expression. He dedicated a chapter in his final book, “L’Intemporel,” to the Saint Soleil movement, featuring Levoy Exil’s artwork on the cover. Exil actively participated in Saint Soleil exhibits, collaborated on a homage to Malraux, and showcased his work at the World Theater Festival in Nancy, France in 1977.
Exil’s artistic career transcended borders, captivating audiences worldwide. His art delves deep into Haitian heritage and spirituality, drawing inspiration from Voodoo spirits and vivid dreams. Using Pointillism, he created intricate compositions pulsating with images of Voodoo Loas, celestial bodies, and avian creatures, all infused with rhythmic spirituality. Each brushstroke weaves a narrative of eyes, limbs, hair, and serpentine forms, evoking mystical, abstract energy.
Characterized by vibrant colors and poetic calligraphy, Exil’s uninhibited style transcends traditional boundaries, evoking powerful emotional responses from collectors and enthusiasts globally. Levoy Exil’s enduring legacy testifies to the fusion of art, spirituality, and cultural identity. His art stands as an everlasting heritage, inspiring artists and admirers worldwide. In 2023, Levoy Exil’s masterpiece “Solrou: The Sun’s creates Unity” served as a profound wellspring of inspiration, giving rise to Gabriela Hearst’s luxurious Spring Summer 2024 collection.
- BornOctober 19, 1944
- BirthplaceSoissons-la-Montagne Fermathe, Haiti
- MovementSaint Soleil
Gallery
Selected Originals
One-of-a-kind paintings from the gallery — every piece is an original, available for direct enquiry.
Fashion collaboration
Gabriela Hearst × Levoy Exil
In 2023, Levoy Exil’s masterpiece “Solrou: The Sun’s creates Unity” became the wellspring of Gabriela Hearst’s luxurious Spring Summer 2024 collection — shown on the runway at New York Fashion Week. Crafted with 31 artisans over 5,000+ hours, the collection carried Exil’s suns, spirits, and sacred geometry from the mountains of Fermathe to the world stage.
Stories
News
Stories from the life and work of Levoy Exil.
September 20, 2026
Still Painting at 81: The Enduring Fire of Levoy Exil
Born in 1944, Levoy Exil has painted for over fifty years — and at 81, he still paints, carrying the Saint Soleil spirit from the mountains of Fermathe to the world.
Read more →September 20, 2026
From Fermathe to the Runway: Levoy Exil × Gabriela Hearst
How “Solrou: The Sun’s creates Unity” traveled from a Haitian mountain studio to the Gabriela Hearst Spring Summer 2024 runway at New York Fashion Week.
Read more →Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Levoy Exil?
Levoy Exil (born October 19, 1944, in Soissons-la-Montagne Fermathe, Haiti) is a renowned Haitian painter and a pivotal figure of the Saint Soleil art movement, which he joined in 1973. His work is held in collections worldwide and has been exhibited across Haiti, the Americas, and Europe for five decades.
What is the Saint Soleil movement?
Saint Soleil is a Haitian art movement born in 1973 from workshops initiated by the artist Tiga (Jean-Claude Garoute). It empowered mountain-dwelling peasants with no prior art exposure to paint spirituality and dreams. The French writer André Malraux devoted a chapter of his final book, “L’Intemporel,” to the movement — with a Levoy Exil painting on the cover.
What inspires Levoy Exil’s paintings?
Haitian heritage and spirituality: Vodou spirits (loas), vivid dreams, suns, celestial bodies, and sacred geometry. Working in pointillism, he builds intricate compositions of eyes, limbs, hair, and serpentine forms that pulse with rhythmic, mystical energy.
What was the Gabriela Hearst collaboration?
In 2023, Exil’s masterpiece “Solrou: The Sun’s creates Unity” became the wellspring of Gabriela Hearst’s Spring Summer 2024 collection, shown at New York Fashion Week. Crafted with 31 artisans over 5,000+ hours, the collection carried his suns, spirits, and sacred geometry from the mountains of Fermathe to the world stage.
How do I buy an original Levoy Exil painting?
There is no online checkout. Choose a painting and enquire via WhatsApp at +509 3424-9786 or by email at levoyexilgallery@gmail.com, naming the piece. The gallery confirms availability and arranges payment and shipping with you directly. Sold works stay visible and can also be enquired about.
Where can I buy original Haitian paintings?
Right here. Every painting in the gallery is an original, one-of-a-kind work by Levoy Exil — never a print or reproduction. Choose the piece you love and enquire via WhatsApp at +509 3424-9786 or by email at levoyexilgallery@gmail.com; every sale is arranged personally with the gallery.
Are these original paintings or prints?
All originals. Each work is a one-of-a-kind acrylic painting, hand-painted and signed by Levoy Exil. No prints or copies are sold on this site.
Do you ship paintings internationally?
Yes. Paintings are shipped worldwide with careful, insured packaging. Shipping is quoted per painting and destination — message the gallery on WhatsApp or by email for a quote.
How do I know a Levoy Exil painting is authentic?
Every painting sold here comes directly from Levoy Exil’s studio and is signed by the artist. If you are ever offered a painting elsewhere and want to verify it, message the gallery and we will help.
Get in touch
Enquire About an Original
Every painting on this site is an original by Levoy Exil. To purchase or ask about a piece, message the gallery on WhatsApp or by email — we reply Monday to Saturday, 8 AM–8 PM EST.
- Monday–Saturday, 8 AM–8 PM EST