Tafy Laplanche

Born and raised in NYC, I was inspired by the rhythm and heart of the city. Its people create such wonderful colors and stories. Igniting my passion to showcase that in my work. As a result, I developed an interest in other cultures and heritages and how one connected with them. Traveling and meeting people from all walks of life and sharing their stories through my portraits.

Being both Puerto Rican and Haitian, throughout my life people always tried to place me in a box of one or the other. With my portraits, I portray unique individuals who embrace their cultures and their identities. Using a range of mediums including charcoal, graphite, oil, and acrylic paint. I place my portraits against graphic vibrant patterns inspired by murals I grew up around in Spanish Harlem.

With my practice, I enjoy getting to know the subject behind the portrait. Using their energy and their experiences to come up with a background that relates to them. But, embodying their emotion in their portrait to connect with the viewers. Through my art, I celebrate the beauty of dual identity and how it can be an asset instead of a burden. My goal is to inspire others to embrace their full identity and be proud of who they are.

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School
2009

Maryland Institute College of Art
2013

2020
Vor Kunst - Van Der Plas Gallery

2021
An Exploration of Color in Portraiture - Galleria Meera
The Sketchbook Art Project - Brooklyn Museum
Ultra Black History Month - The Black Art Gallery
Black, Love, Art, and Crypto - B.L.A.C. Gallery
Humanity's Many Faces - Orenda Art Works
Orgulloso - Mar Vista Art Walk
Passing Faces - Blick Art Materials

2022
FAAA Small Works Exhibit - Telfair Museums (Jepson Center)
Art Fields 2022 Competition - Lake City, SC
FAAA at SSU Members Exhibition - Kennedy Fine Arts Gallery
"N/um" Boxed In/Break Out - Jepson Center
El Salón - Savannah Cultural Arts Center
Look! - Sulfur Studios

2023
Women in the Heights - Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance Gallery
13th Annual "Figurative" - Light Space & Time Online Art
LGBTQ+ Latinx & POC Portraits - Art Crawl Harlem
Reclaiming América - Savannah Cultural Arts Center
Savannahopoly- Location Gallery
London Underground - ArtSpace Innovations

2024
Boundless - Savannah Cultural Arts Center
Sankofa Art Installation - Harlem Grown
Cielo y Tierra - Savannah Cultural Arts Center