Defiance
RYAN COSBERT, Defiance, 2023-2024, Acrylic and recycled materials on canvas, 20 × 32 in
Inspired by the Haitian flag, I typically gravitate toward its traditional blue and red. This time, I chose to center the often overlooked colors in the middle—where the coat of arms symbolizes Haiti's independence with a trophy of weapons atop a green hill and a royal palm. The motto L'Union fait la Force reminds me of the strength found in unity.
As I created Defiance, I noticed its resemblance to the Guyanese flag—an unintentional but powerful reflection of my own blended heritage. Though my experience of being Haitian may not be traditional, it remains an integral part of who I am—an armor of pride I wear every day. This work embodies the love and lessons passed down through my family, celebrating the unique similarities and differences that shape my journey.
Ode to Arturo Alfonso Schomburg
RYAN COSBERT, Ode to Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, 2021, Fabric dye and acrylic on canvas, 80 × 53 in
Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (1874–1938) was a historian, writer, collector, and activist of Puerto Rican, African, and German descent whose life’s work laid the foundation for Black historical preservation. After migrating to New York in 1891, he became deeply involved in political organizing, founding Las Dos Antillas, a cultural and political group advocating for Puerto Rican independence. Disillusioned by the collapse of revolutionary movements in Cuba and Puerto Rico’s cession to the U.S., Schomburg turned his attention to the African American community—channeling his efforts into documenting the global Black experience.
I felt compelled to create this piece in honor of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg after encountering his name repeatedly over the past three years. As someone deeply engaged in research on the African diaspora, I was often referred to the Schomburg Center—but I didn’t fully grasp the history behind it. That changed during a recent trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Within my first 20 minutes on the island, I met an incredible cab driver. We spent about 10–15 minutes talking about New York and our shared interest in diaspora studies. He began telling me about a Puerto Rican man of African descent who had a research center in Harlem named after him. Immediately, I realized he was talking about Arturo Schomburg.
That moment sparked something in me. I knew I had to create a work in his honor. I chose to use red and blue to represent the Puerto Rican flag and brown to signify the enduring presence of the African diaspora in Puerto Rico. This piece is my ode to Schomburg—his legacy, his scholarship, and his deep commitment to preserving Black history.
My work embodies the spirit of Nou Ayiti by honoring Haiti’s legacy while imagining a future rooted in unity, resilience, and pride. In Defiance, I turn my focus to the often-overlooked elements of the Haitian flag—the coat of arms. The green hill, royal palm, and weaponry symbolize independence, strength, and collective triumph. By spotlighting these elements, I aim to highlight the endurance and complexity of Haitian identity beyond the familiar blue and red.
As an artist of Haitian and Guyanese descent, my practice explores layered identities and the invisible threads connecting African diasporic histories. My vision for Haiti’s future celebrates difference as strength, embraces the coexistence of tradition and innovation, and centers creative expression as a tool for empowerment and transformation.
Ryan Cosbert is a first-generation African-American conceptual artist of Haitian and Guyanese descent. Her practice explores human experience, self-expression, political issues, and historical narratives—often drawing on rigorous research into the African diaspora. Through her work, Cosbert aims to spark dialogue, challenge perspective, and promote higher consciousness, particularly around the lasting impacts of oppression and generational trauma within the Black community.
Cosbert’s abstract paintings are grounded in a structured grid format composed of “tiles” that establish geometric harmony. She builds layered, three-dimensional compositions using color, paint, and found objects—each element chosen for its connection to the painting’s subject. Materiality and color hold symbolic weight throughout her practice. Cosbert holds a BFA in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts (2021).