Born in Haiti at Port-au-Prince in 1962 and moved to Montreal, Canada in 1975. Hollweg graduated form Wilfrid Laurier University with a bachelor's degree in arts and earned a master's degree with a specialization in French from San Diego State University. "I have always been attracted by beauty," Hollweg says. "I enjoyed beauty in everything, whether it was art, sports, architecture, or nature."
One of the defining moments of Hollweg's life in which he discovered his love and his passion for fine art was when his brother gave him his first painting. He started to acquire works of art from artists on his trips in the Caribbean, and a few years later Hollweg met one of the greatest contemporary Haitian artists—Préval Guerdy Jacques. "I learned a lot from him and I decided to start a collection. I organized a few exhibits in New York, Chicago, Montreal, Miami, Toronto, and Ottawa," Hollweg explains.
The idea for a website devoted to the fine art of the Caribbean began to grow in Hollweg's mind. He talked with many artists who told him of the lack of means for promoting their art. Deeply impressed by their creativity, Hollweg realized three years later that the best way to help the Haitian artists was to give them a stage on which they could show their works to the world.
"By creating this site, I want to promote first of all the great Haitian artists to the world by representing them and their works online. Secondly, I want to bring you a very large inventory of paintings so that each of you can find a work of art for your taste. Some of you will be able to start your own collection, and some will enlarge your existing one. Thirdly, I want this to be a reference website for all art-related activities in Haiti with a concentration on paintings, statues, masks, and more."
"I feel that we should change the mentality that wants artists to be popular after their death. I strongly think that we should help them live better lives by recognizing their efforts while they are alive and by purchasing their works of art. I want ultimately to create an encyclopedia in which these artists can see themselves in what will be tomorrow their legacy to the world."
At Hollweg's Art, we believe that anyone can become an art collector. Everyone sees beauty in their own way, and by following our judgment one may discover many fine works of art that appeal to our senses. Furthermore, we also believe that a true art collector does not have prejudices about one type of art versus another, and does not favor one artist who is popular over another who is less well known. Ultimately, the art collector is on an adventure to find beautiful works of art in any medium and by any artist.
We invite you to join us in this adventure by acquiring some of our works and by ordering your encyclopedia (it will be ready by 2008). Hollweg's Art would like to thank you for visiting and would also like you to let your family and friends know about this website and about Hollweg's mission to bring fine Caribbean art to the world. 10% of the proceeds from the works of art you purchase will go towards a fund for the artistic development of children in Haiti and in other Caribbean countries.
Thank you from the people at Hollweg's Art.