Yves Gabriel was born in Haiti and currently lives in South Florida. He holds a master's degree in fine arts and a bachelor's degree in graphic design as well. His artistic journey began years ago as an organic sculptor and digital artist. He later evolved as a painter by embracing abstraction and conceptualism as vehicles to address significant social, cultural, and political issues of our times without compromising the essence of his inspiration.
His notable works include “Haiti: Unity with Strength,” published in the International Contemporary Masters V and showcased at the Southern Nevada Museum of Art; the award-winning “Diary of a Straight Guy” from the ArtServe Art Bravo Jury Show; and the impactful installation “Tribute to Mandela” at the Mandela’s Legacy exhibition, alongside the “Unity Beacon of Fort Lauderdale” sculpture unveiled in October 2017 to foster community healing and promote a more equitable future.
In his series, The Elephant in the Room and Worlds Apart, he explores, respectively, the dissociative attitude of white Americans toward slavery, a critical and significant chapter in this country’s history, and the plight of the 44% of LGBTQ young Black men and women who are homeless and shunned by their families and communities because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. These paintings, along with some of the works from his ongoing Krik? Krak! Is Anyone Listening? series, were selected and shown at the Frank for the “New Industry: Contemporary Visions of the Industrial” exhibition. He also held a solo show, "Shattered," at Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, and he described its essence as follows: "From the shattered pieces, raw emotions are felt and spoken from all sides, new light filters in, and a new beginning affords broken souls to atone as the communities seek to move forward with grace, honesty, and dignity."
His most recent exhibition, Inside-Outside, held at the Spady Museum, unpacks the complexities of Blackness in the United States, examining perceptions and realities while confronting the systemic violence that impacts Black and Brown communities. These artworks aim to spark a meaningful dialogue about the contradictions within the mentioned communities by highlighting issues that are frequently discussed yet often ignored due to fear of judgment or backlash. This exhibition also encourages everyone to reflect on their views regarding these systems and the changing political landscape that affects Black and Brown communities both collectively and individually.
Yves Gabriel is celebrated for his innovative artistic vision and is committed to tackling social, cultural, and political issues that impact communities both in the United States and globally.