Erzulie Fitzgerald (Haitian-American, Judith)

Ella Fitzgerald mash-up with Haitian culture — Gwenn Seemel
*Erzulie Fitzgerald (Haitian-American, Judith)*
2008
acrylic and sequins on canvas and monk’s cloth
22 x 19 inches

I asked each of the participants in Apple Pie to write something about what it means to be an American. This is Judith’s response.

To be an American is to love your country, respect the law, be ready to advocate/defend your country, love your compatriots, be supportive, be a multicultural person, bring good ideas for the progress of the country, and neighbor watches over neighbor.

- Judith

Since 2008, when I created Apple Pie, the US has changed quite a bit, and I have as well. If I were making this series now, this portrait would look very different. I might still combine Judith’s likeness with Ella Fitzgerald, since the subject is a singer and she appreciates Fitzgerald’s work, but I’d avoid sewing on sequins or painting in the designs on the collar of the subject’s shirt, since these reference Haitian African Vodou and Erzulie Fréda, the spirit of love and beauty.

At the time, I liked the idea of combining those religious symbols with hints of Fitzgerald as a way of depicting the rich mix of cultures that is the US, but I understand that making these connections could be seen as disrespectful to the Vodou religion. I regret not being more thoughtful in my approach.