MONEL ALIOTE STUDIO

Monel Aliote is a contemporary portrait painter based in New York and New Jersey, whose work sits at the intersection of classical observation and modern identity. Born in Port‑au‑Prince, Haiti, and raised in the U.S., Aliote is a self‑taught artist who refined his technical foundation at The Art Students League of New York, blending his background in photography and digital conceptualization with traditional oil painting. His practice centers on capturing the rhythmic energy and “fabric” of the diverse communities he documents, with a particular sensitivity to Haitian and global Black diasporic histories and lived experience.

Aliote received a Gold Key Art Portfolio Award from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in 2009, with selected work exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum, marking the beginning of a highly public‑facing career. His paintings have appeared in some of New York City’s most iconic architectural landmarks, including a three‑year residency with the AD ART SHOW at the World Trade Center Oculus (2020–2022) and a digital showcase on the Times Square Video Billboards, where his portrait “Lady Day” was featured.

Internationally recognized, Aliote was awarded the Power of Creativity Art Prize by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine in 2021. His exhibition history spans major fairs and galleries such as Red Dot Miami, and group shows at institutions including the Brooklyn Museum and other independent New York spaces. Currently a featured artist at Mana Contemporary, Aliote continues to explore the boundaries of the modern portrait, using classical technique to amplify the voices, resilience, and cultural narratives of Haitian and diasporic communities.

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‍ Artist Statement

At its core, my work is about capturing the human spirit. My process sits right at the intersection of two worlds: the clean precision of digital design and the raw, unpredictable nature of oil paint. I start each piece by cutting through the noise of a photograph. Using Photoshop, I strip the image down to a high-contrast, binary sketch—a modern way of drafting that lets me find the essential architecture of a face before I ever pick up a brush.

When I move to the canvas, those digital blueprints come alive on a large scale. I work with a very intentional, symbolic palette: yellows to inject a sense of youthful energy, blues to build depth and quiet, and purples to ground the piece in wisdom. These colors aren't just decorative; they are a language I use to elevate everyday people, giving them a presence that feels iconic.

Lately, I’ve been pushing my practice toward a larger, more demanding scale. By layering bold acrylic underpaintings with the rich texture of traditional oils, I want these portraits to command space and refuse to be ignored. Ultimately, I'm trying to build a bridge between a flat digital image and the living essence of a person. I want you to stand in front of the canvas and see the subject not just as a figure, but as a vibrant, breathing force.

An artist with dreadlocks and a dark shirt is taking a photo of a painting of a woman’s profile on a canvas in progress. The artist is seated on a chair, holding a smartphone to capture the artwork.
An artist with braided hair and a dark t-shirt works on a portrait painting on a large canvas, using a phone to reference a photo of a woman's face. The scene is indoors, with art supplies and crumpled paper on the floor.