NOIR & BLANC: The Art of Storytelling by Joseph Kendy

This pictorial post features a powerful 40-panel visual narrative by Haitian artist Joseph Kendy titled “Noir & Blanc” (Black & White). The work tells a profound love story set against the backdrop of the Maafa (Atlantic trafficking and captivity), specifically situated in Haiti, though the themes resonate across the entire Atlantic world.

The illustration series chronicles the story of a heroic ancestor during captivity, weaving together themes of trauma, sacrifice, and courage. The narrative arc depicts a love story disrupted by the brutalities of bondage, showcasing both personal tragedy and collective self-defence. Haiti serves as a particularly significant setting, as it was where 500,000 people rose up against their oppressors to create the first Black republic outside of Afrika.

The work employs a sequential art format—40 images that unfold like a graphic novel—to convey emotional depth and historical weight. The visual storytelling requires no written text; viewers can interpret the narrative through the powerful imagery alone.

The Artist – Joseph Kendy:
Joseph Kendy is a Haitian illustrator and member of Chevelin Illustration, a Haitian art studio and comics publisher. His work has been featured on platforms like AFROPUNK and has garnered significant attention for depicting African diaspora history and Haitian culture through visual narratives.

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendy_joseph/​
• Facebook Artist Page: https://www.facebook.com/kendyjosephart/​
• ArtStation Portfolio: https://www.artstation.com/josephkendy​
• AFROPUNK Feature: https://afropunk.com/2015/05/feature-the-drawings-of-haitian-illustrator-joseph-kendy/​
• YouTube Animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFkko0BHmiM

Acknowledgement: This post was revised with the support of Perplexity “Tylis”, an AI assistant that has accompanied my ongoing research and writing on the Maafa, African women’s histories and diasporic memory.