George (Georges) Valris is a Haitian artist best known for his richly detailed Vodou flags (drapo Vodou) — vibrant textile artworks made with sequins and beads — that blend traditional Haitian spiritual imagery with his own artistic style.
About Georges Valris
Nationality: Haitian
Born: 1950/1953 in Cavaillon, Haiti
Based in: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Valris is one of Haiti’s notable sequined textile artists.
Unlike many Vodou flag makers who are also religious practitioners (houngans), Valris is a practicing Catholic and does not practice Vodou, though he often incorporates Vodou deities and symbols alongside Christian imagery in his work.
Valris didn’t start as an artist. Before developing his now-renowned textile work, he held various jobs: he made baskets, worked in a clothing factory, and even worked aboard a cruise ship in the late 1980s. After returning to Haiti, he opened a workshop and eventually focused full-time on textile art to support his family.
Valris is particularly known for:
Drapo Vodou (Vodou flags): Hand-stitched sequins and beads on fabric that depict spirits (lwa), saints, angels, and other figures from Haitian spiritual and cultural life.
His use of fine fishing line (monofilament) instead of traditional threads, which enhances the durability and sparkle of his pieces.
Exhibitions & Recognition
His work has been shown in museums and galleries outside Haiti, including exhibitions at institutions such as the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History and the American Visionary Art Museum. Additionally, one of his works, Erzulie La Flambeau, was featured in the Afro-Atlantic Histories exhibition, which traveled to major museums including the National Gallery of Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Legacy and Influence
Valris has also influenced younger artists, including his children, who continue in the Vodou flag tradition. His unique perspective — blending Haitian spiritual symbolism with craftsmanship and personal aesthetics — makes him a distinctive figure in Haitian contemporary art.