‘Waters of the Abyss’ Review: Haitian Papier-Mâché Masterpieces at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

From Feb. 27 to May 25, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is hosting Fabiola Jean-Louis’ newest collection, “Waters of the Abyss: An Intersection of Spirit and Freedom.”

This featured exhibition explores the culture and history of Jean-Louis’ home country, Haiti. “Waters of the Abyss” highlights Vodou and its transformative role in Haiti’s establishment as the first free Black republic in the world. This exhibit offers an impactful and enlightening experience and a refreshing departure from the museum’s focus on European and Asian-influenced art.

Jean-Louis, whose work has been featured in major publications like The New York Times and who has completed a residency at the Museum of Art and Design in New York City, is best known for her photography, paper textile design, and sculptures. Having immigrated to the United States at a young age, Jean-Louis created “Waters of the Abyss” not only as an artistic representation of Haitian culture but also as a personal and spiritual reconnection to her own culture.

This personal nature is both evident and resonant in her pieces. One sculpture, “Mermaid Portals (a pair),” uses a mirror to signify the thresholds between the spirit and the human in Haitian Vodou, underscoring the importance of the self. This method forces visitors to gaze at themselves, prompting mental and spiritual self-reflection.

“The only way to get to that other place is to look at yourself,” Jean-Louis said in a press release by the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Another captivating aspect of the art is that each piece is almost entirely made out of papier-mâché, and much of it is “coffee-stained.” For Jean-Louis, paper is sacred. From birth certificates to public records, Jean-Louis believes that paper captures worlds and identities. This is evident in her works, where her papier-mâché sculptures seem to come alive and tell a vivid story.

Her beautiful sculptures demonstrate a mastery of the art form, and the gowns she creates from paper look almost like real fabric. Even in her more traditional paintings, the intricately detailed frames are made entirely of paper, further showcasing her expertise and distinctive artistic style.

Beyond the artistry of “Waters of the Abyss,” the exhibit’s Haitian influence and historical context make it an interesting and striking contrast to Isabella Stewart Gardner’s personal collection, which mostly leans towards European, American, and Asian works. This cultural difference might entice guests, especially those who are hoping to look beyond the European-dominated artistic canon of the museum.

However culturally-distinct Jean-Louis’ artwork may be from the museum’s longstanding works, many of the same themes resonate throughout.

“Just as Isabella Stewart Gardner installed sacred objects and altars throughout her Museum, Fabiola invites us to engage with global religious traditions as well as her own personal spiritual journey,” said Peggy Fogelman, the director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, in a Feb. 19 press release.

Despite its evident beauty, “Waters of the Abyss” might not be immediately visible to casual visitors. Any museum visitor unaware of the exhibit might miss a majority of the experience, as most of Jean-Louis’s artwork is not in the museum's main Historic Palace. Rather, most of her pieces are on display in the Hostetter Gallery, which is on the second floor of The New Wing.

Though viewing this exhibit requires a deviation from a typical walkthrough of the museum, guests should take the extra time to visit the gallery and immerse themselves in the celebration of Haitian culture, Jean-Louis’s stunning sculptures, and the exhibit’s powerful, spiritual atmosphere.

“Waters of the Abyss: An Intersection of Spirit and Freedom” is a breathtakingly beautiful exhibition that not only encourages you to think, but also truly makes you feel. It is not to be missed.

“Waters of the Abyss: An Intersection of Spirit and Freedom” is on view at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum through May 25.