Born in port-au-prince, haiti, in 1954, philippe dodard is a leading contemporary artist of the caribbean and the african diaspora. his artistic evolution was a series of steps, leading to major solo and international exhibitions, including arte americas (2008), the venice biennale (1999), biennale of latin american drawings, santo domingo (1997), and the biennale of caribbean and central america art, dominican republic (1996).

Dodard was also the cultural adviser for the first lady elisabeth d. preval, and the artistic leader of plas timoun, a psycho-social project created for the relief of children affected by the earthquake of january 12, 2010. he was instrumental in the reconstruction of the iron market in haiti as the project chief for arts & ambiances. his new work “the rising soul” is now in the permanent collection in triennal internacional del caribe au museo de arte moderno a santo domingo. in 2011, after meeting donna karan and russell james in haiti, dodard began his collaborations with urban zen and nomad two worlds and was the july 2011 ambassador of urban zen foundation. he continues to exhibit in fine art galleries and museums around the world.