Object Name: Lasiren and Ezili of the Waters

Artist: Samuel Francois

Place of Origin: Haiti

Date/Era: 1999

Medium/Materials: Cardboard, sequins, beads, glitter, plastic dolls, wigs

Dimensions: H: 205.8 cm (81.0 in)

Credit Line: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Gift of Marilyn Houlberg.

Accession Number: X2007.5.1

Samuel Francois uses manufactured dolls in this tower-like assemblage celebrating water spirits of Vodou. Separated into two sections, the top altar features three representations of Lasiren. The bottom altar, based on a European chromolithograph of the Mater Dolorosa (Our Lady of Sorrow), features a sequined and bejeweled doll who represents Ezili Freda, considered by some to be the sister of Lasiren.

Source: Drewal, Henry John. (2008) “Mami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and Its Diasporas”, Los Angeles, UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. page 156