Death of Painter Payas, Former Mason Who Became an Artist of Saint-Soleil's Revival

Haitian painter Pierre-Sylvain Augustin, known as Payas, died on the night of October 23 to 24, 2026, according to Vant Bèf Info. He was born on December 12, 1941, in Divette, a village near Pétion-Ville.

From the Fields to Construction and Then to Canvas

Payas first worked as a farmer and then as a mason. Painting entered his life late, in 1992, thanks to his encounter with Prospère Pierre-Louis, a key figure in the Saint-Soleil movement admired by André Malraux.

Prospère Pierre-Louis died in 1996, an event that deeply affected Payas. According to Le Nouvelliste, the painter claimed to have sensed this death while observing his friend's last painting. He then dedicated himself entirely to his art as a self-taught artist. His faith permeates his work, adds the daily newspaper.

Joining the Saint-Soleil Movement

In 1997, Payas showed his work to Tiga, the founder of the movement. Encouraged by him, he joined the Soisson la Montagne festival. He then participated in several exhibitions dedicated to this current. Both media agree that he contributed to its revival in the 2000s.

Exhibitions Until 2024

Payas was a regular at Artisanat en fête. Health issues prevented him from returning there in 2024. In January 2022, the Printemps de l'art hosted his solo exhibition titled "Payas: on kè plizyè nan m."

Vant Bèf Info concludes that Haiti loses an artist with a unique journey. The media describes his painting as an intimate language nourished by spirituality. The consulted sources do not specify the circumstances of his death or the arrangements for his funeral.