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.

An artist with long dreadlocks painting a self portrait on a large canvas using bold, brushstrokes with blue, yellow, and black colors.
Person with dreadlocks viewing a large colorful painting of a man with a distressed face, with flowing blue and yellow background.
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.
A portrait painting of a woman in progress on a canvas, with her face in profile, featuring black hair, earrings, and bold features outlined in black, with some blue and yellow paint accents, positioned on an easel in a room.
Person with dark curly hair sitting in front of a large canvas on an easel, painting a portrait of a woman with a tall hairstyle, in a room with a window, air conditioner, and art supplies.
Artist working on a colorful abstract portrait of a woman with a side profile, using blue, black, and yellow paint.
An artist creating a portrait painting of a woman with an inspirational background using blue, yellow, black, and white paint.
Sketch of a clock tower with yellow accents and a partially visible clock face.
An abstract painting on a canvas showing a woman's face in profile, with bold black, blue, yellow, and white brushstrokes.