Product Description
It's Cactus- Haiti Metal Art
Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Flower Tree with Sun Rising, Eco-Friendly Garden Decor 12.25"x12.25"
This piece is hand cut from recycled 50 gallon steel drums. Both ends of the drum are removed and placed inside of the remaining cylinder along with scrap paper, dried banana or sugar cane leaves. It is set on fire, to burn off any paint or residue. When cooled, the drum is cut down the side and flattened out to create a "metal canvas" of approximately 3' x 6', upon which the design is drawn. Using hammer, chisel and various primitive tools, the shape is cut and the various decorative patterns are pounded into the metal, creating a unique and treasured piece of primitive art. The finished design is coated with a protective finish. Can be hung indoors or outdoors.
Care of Sculpture: Made of recycled steel, this sculpture will rust over time if it is exposed to the elements. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, some people like the look of a weathered patina. If that isn't you, don't despair. Taking five minutes once a year to apply a spray-on enamel clear coat will keep your sculpture looking exactly the same as the day you bought it.
**Although we try our best to photograph in a way that best represents the color, due to the nature of photography, lighting, computer resolution, other factors, colors may vary slightly in person.
Artist Bio
Jhonson Augustin
Born in December, 1971, Johnson Augustin attended primary school but confesses, “It was hard for me to learn.” Shifting focus, he went to work with master metal sculptor, Serge Jolimeau. Before long, he moved to his own shop, where the art became a family affair. Though the metal work is performed almost exclusively by men, Johonson is an “equal opportunity employer.” His sisters have gotten into the act, sanding and varnishing the unfinished pieces.
Johnson recalls with pride the day the Ambassador of Chile came into his shop. “The ambassador saw my works are nice and he invited me to attend a fair at the University of Chile in 2004. I went back in 2005 for the same reason. There were 32 countries to attend the fair and Haiti won the first prize through me.”
As so many, Johnson is grateful for the work that It's Cactus provides for him and well remembers the money distributed to artists throughout Croix-des-Bouquets in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. “It was very help me. I am very happy and I ask God to bless you. Now when I sell my products, I send 5 percent to an orphanage in town. I am happy to help too.”
