As part of The Cultural Between exhibition at the Miramar Cultural Center—curated by Sankofa’s Child, Inc.—we are proud to feature painter Mikael Semexant in our artist interview series.
Mikael is a Haitian-American visual artist raised in South Florida whose work primarily utilizes oil paints, acrylics, and oil pastels to explore intimacy, family archives, queer identity, and the nuanced layers of the Black and Haitian diaspora experience.
🎨 An Evolutionary Journey to the Canvas
Mikael’s artistic path began in early childhood, drawing throughout his school years before teaching himself to paint in 2016 inspired by watching Bob Ross. During the 2020 lockdowns, his practice deepened significantly as he began translating personal family photos into large-scale, painterly compositions.
“A lot of the paintings that I’ve made show an unseen side of the Black experience—not only the Black experience, but the Haitian experience… taking those very intimate and inside moments and putting them outside was very important to me.”
— Mikael Semexant
🖼️ Featured Works in the Exhibition
In The Cultural Between, Mikael showcases three distinct, deeply personal pieces:
- “The Garden” (from When I Thought We Would Be Kids Forever): A nostalgic reflection on childhood, memory, and chosen family. Lacking biological grandmothers, Mikael honors an elder Haitian woman in his neighborhood who cared for him after school, linking the nurture she poured into her garden with the love she poured into him.
- “Pye Mango A”: A visual meditation on growth, risk, and trusting oneself. Representing a departure from his usual reserved, “safe” approach to life, this piece marks a pivotal shift toward creative courage and intuition.
- “A Midnight Prayer”: Created post-residency, this painting explores his relationship with prayer and Christianity as a queer Haitian-American, addressing the inner turmoil of growing up in spaces where his identity felt unaccepted, and ultimately finding healing, wholeness, and spiritual alignment on his own terms.
🇭🇹 Rooted in Heritage & Artistic Lineage
Mikael’s connection to Haitian history and culture deepened during his residency at the Bailey Contemporary Arts Center (BaCA) during Haitian Heritage Month. Inspired by the rich lineage of Haitian painters since the 1960s—and supported by fellow Haitian artists like Sophia Lacroix—Mikael uses his platform to challenge homophobia, foster connection, and offer catharsis for viewers navigating similar “in-between” realities.
“Reconciling the practice of prayer and the reality of who I love… I hope my work adds an important voice to allow other people to not only see themselves, but to understand the impact of these experiences.”
🗓️ Exhibition Details
- Exhibition: The Cultural Between (Caribbean Heritage Exhibition)
- Location: Miramar Cultural Center / ArtsPark (Ansin Family Art Gallery), 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar, FL
- Dates: June 30 – August 21, 2026 | Monday – Thursday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Curated by: Sankofa’s Child, Inc.
- Learn More: www.sankofaschild.org/exhibits
Connect with the Artist:
- Instagram:
@mikaelsemexant