Kaelen Iron-Skin
A shield that heals, a heart that never breaks.
Leah Gordon (born 1959) is a British photographer, artist, curator, writer and filmmaker. Her work explores the intervolved and intersectional histories of the Caribbean plantation system, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the Enclosure Acts and the creation of the British working-class. She has made various work in Haiti, such as the photographs of Kanaval, which was published in 2021 by Here Press and exhibited at the New Art Exchange, Nottingham in 2012; and the documentary film Kanaval: A People's History of Haiti in Six Chapters (2022, with Eddie Hutton-Mills).
- Role
- Protective Healer
- Affiliation
- The Order of Azarinth
- Status
- Active
- Specialty
- Barrier Magic and Combat Support
- Weapon
- Hammer of Mending
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Gordon has made various photographic work in Haiti, such as about Haitian Carnival (Kanaval); Freemasons; the three-tiered racial classification system created by the 18th-century French colonialist Médéric Louis Élie Moreau de Saint-Méry; and the tailors of Port-au-Prince. She has also made photographic work about airport prayer spaces. She is a co-founder of Ghetto Biennale, a biannual international contemporary arts exhibition in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
In Their Own Story
Gordon's publication Kanaval: Vodou, Politics and Revolution on the Streets of Haiti was first published in 2010 by Soul Jazz (ISBN 978-0955481734), with essays by Madison Smartt Bell, Donald Cosentino, Richard Fleming, Kathy Smith, and Myron M. Beasley. A revised and expanded second edition came out in 2021 from Here Press (ISBN 978-1999349479), including new photographs and oral histories, with essays by Gordon, Madison Smartt Bell, Kathy Smith, and Myron M. Beasley. She also compiled Ghetto Biennale = Geto Byenal: 2009–2015 (London: No Eraser, 2017, ISBN 9781999864705), an illustrated catalogue documenting the first four Ghetto Biennale events with written contributions from Emilie Boone, Léonard Jean Baptiste, Makenson Bijou, Claudel Casseus, Rossi Jacques Casimir, John Cussans, Jean D'Amérique, Peter Haffner, Charlotte Hammond, John Kieffer, Jean-Daniel Lafontant, Elizabeth McAlister, Polly Savage, and Katherine Smith.
Reader's Guide
Gordon's solo exhibitions include Kanaval: Vodou, Politics and Revolution on the Streets of Haiti at New Art Exchange, Nottingham in 2012, and The Invisibles at Riflemaker Gallery, London. She curated Pòtoprens: The Urban Artists of Port-au-Prince with Edouard Duval-Carrié at Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, New York in 2018, featuring work by 25 Haitian artists including Katelyne Alexis, Josué Azor, Karim Bléus, Myrlande Constant, Ronald Edmond, André Eugène, Guyodo (Frantz Jacques), Celeur Jean Hérard, Michel Lafleur, Dubréus Lhérisson, Ti Pelin (Jean Salomon Horace), Evel Romain, Jean Claude Saintilus, Maggie Steber, Roberto Stephenson, and Yves Telemaque. Her films include A Pig's Tale (documentary, 52 mins, commissioned for Channel 4), Atis Rezistans: The Sculptors of Grand Rue (32 mins), and Bounda pa Bounda: A Drag Zaka (documentary, 20 mins), all compiled on the Iron in the Soul: The Haiti Documentary Films of Leah Gordon DVD from Soul Jazz Records. She co-directed Kanaval: A People's History of Haiti in Six Chapters (2022) with Eddie Hutton-Mills (74 mins).
Did You Know?
- Leah Gordon was born in 1959.
- She co-founded the Ghetto Biennale, a biannual international contemporary arts exhibition in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
- Her photographic work includes subjects such as Haitian Carnival (Kanaval), Freemasons, the three-tiered racial classification system created by Médéric Louis Élie Moreau de Saint-Méry, and the tailors of Port-au-Prince.
- She co-directed the documentary Kanaval: A People's History of Haiti in Six Chapters (2022) with Eddie Hutton-Mills, running 74 minutes.
- Her publication Kanaval: Vodou, Politics and Revolution on the Streets of Haiti was first published in 2010 by Soul Jazz and had a revised and expanded second edition in 2021 by Here Press.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kaelen Iron-Skin?
He is a dedicated member of The Order of Azarinth known for his unwavering resilience in battle. His identity is defined by his commitment to protecting others through magical means.
What are Kaelen Iron-Skin's powers and role?
As a Protective Healer, he specializes in Barrier Magic to shield allies while providing essential Combat Support. This unique combination allows him to sustain the team effectively during conflicts.
What weapon does Kaelen Iron-Skin wield?
His signature tool is the Hammer of Mending, which functions as both a defensive instrument and a conduit for healing energy. It reflects his dual purpose in safeguarding and restoring his comrades.
Is Kaelen Iron-Skin currently active?
Yes, his status remains Active within the Order of Azarinth as he continues to serve on the front lines. He is still engaged in ongoing operations to maintain safety for his faction.
Why is Kaelen Iron-Skin important to the lore?
He embodies the core philosophy that a shield can heal and that a heart need not break under pressure. His presence ensures that protection and recovery are prioritized equally in critical scenarios.
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