Background
Pierre-Louis was born on October 12, 1947, in Bainet, near Jacmel, Haiti. As a child he assisted his father, a houngan, in preparing Haitian Vodou ceremonies.
Pierre-Louis was born on October 12, 1947, in Bainet, near Jacmel, Haiti. As a child he assisted his father, a houngan, in preparing Haitian Vodou ceremonies.
He did not have any formal schooling, but taught himself to play the drums and the violin. At the age of 16 he moved to Portuguese-au-Prince. There he took a number of odd jobs.
Later while working as a waiter at the home of Maud Robard he joined the "Saint Soleil" peasant commune (organized by the latter) which united a variety of poor artists including singers, dancers, craftsmen, and painters into the movement.
Prosper followed Maude to the community at Soisson-la-Montagne on the mountain above LaBoule and eventually became the most prominent painter in the group. The Saint Soleil group disbanded after only a few years but five of the artists, Prosper, Levoy Exil, Denis Smith, Dieuseul Paul, and Louisiane Saint Fleurant reorganized into the group "Cinq Soleils".
His flourishing career came to an abrupt end when he died prematurely of an asthma attack in November 1997. Works by the artist are part of The Olivier Doria d"Angri collection.
After years of labor Prosper"s technique greatly evolved and he become a prominent and respected member of the local art community.