Meet Laetitia “Laeti” Adam-Rabel | Mom, Wife and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laetitia “Laeti” Adam-Rabel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laetitia “Laeti”, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
The most impactful thing I do, habitually, is apologize to my daughter. By now I would think that she knows that I’m not perfect, and that’s okay. But we all do our best and apologize when we slip up and try to do better. Somehow, she thinks mommy is a superhero. I think I must be doing at least one thing right. I also make sure to pray with her and say affirmations daily. I want her to know how wonderful she is, despite my shortcomings and that she is enough. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is oddly eclectic and focused at the same time. In my most recent work, I delve into historical-fantastical identities that make use of my training as a fashion designer, these pieces are very digital and make use of my photography skills and many years of Photoshop experience. In some other pieces, I also use my fashion background, but more on the sewing end. I have several textile pieces, from textiles using yarn flocking to depict hair and DNA strands, to 3-dimensional, sculptural sewn pieces, with hand-stitched dolls. I also have photography portraiture pieces depicting mother and child images or post-apocalyptic scenes. But the threads that all my pieces have in common are the topics that are dear to me: motherhood, feminism, social justice, and environmental protection. Sometimes, all of these topics find themselves entwined in one piece. I am most proud of myself for my mastery of so many media. My road to where I am has certainly not been easy. I am trying to make art with very meager means. I have no studio and live in a tight apartment. So making art at the scale I would like to is proving to be problematic. However, I’ve found that my persistence, has allowed me to continue my work, through thick and thin, even though sometimes I think of giving up. Being an artist is all I’ve ever known, it’s who I am, but I’m also finding out that it is a privilege to be able to make art, given the financial requirements that go along with it. But I come from Haiti, a country where the people are resilient and resourceful, and I like to think that I have some of that in me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am so embarrassed to say that I would be the most boring hostess. I feel that since the pandemic, I’ve been completely out of touch with any scene. Not to mention that right before the pandemic, I was a new mommy and did not get out much. But there are a few places I like to go. My family and I love to eat at Ms. Cheezious on Biscayne. We love their Gouda Mac N Cheese. We also love to sunbathe at Bill Baggs State Park, when it’s not overcrowded, that is. We might also do brunch at Glass and Vine. We might also get some ice cream at Azucar while visiting Little Havana. Of course we’d go to Little Haiti for some Haitian flavor, but definitely get some cod fish Haitian patties at Pâté Plus in North Miami. But no visit would be complete without going to the best chef in town, my mom.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Wow. This is a big one. There are so many people who have played an important role in my achievements as an artist. There are more than I can name. But I’ll do my best. I’m going to do this in chronological order. My parents, Margarette and Lucien Adam, for recognizing and supporting my artistic talents; Marlene Kohn who introduced me to Grace Torres who encouraged me to get a job at PAMM, where I met my husband, Eduardo Adam-Rabel who is my pilar and unconditional supporter; I also met Marie Vickles, at PAMM, who was the first to exhibit my work; also, I met Aurora Molina at PAMM, who started an organization to promote textile arts, Fiber Artists Miami Association (FAMA) through which I met Melanie Prapopoulos who took a chance on me and whose gallery, The Contemporary Art Modern Project (CAMP), has been representing me since 2020. I would also like to shoutout my youngest supporter, my daughter who continually inspires me and collaborates with me; and last, but not least, the collectors who have purchased my work.

Website: https://www.laeti.art

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laeti.artist

Image Credits
Laetitia Adam-Rabel