Product Description
It's Cactus - Haitian Upcycled Oil Barrel Art
Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Rhombus Sun, Sun Any Day of the Year, Upcycled Metal Art
In the village of Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, the air rings with the sound of metal banging against metal. Workshops line the streets of the village and outside each are stacks of discarded 55-gallon drums awaiting transformation. To begin the process, the tops of the barrels are removed and the open barrel is stuffed with straw and dried banana leaves and then set ablaze. This burns out the residue and old paint and strengthens the metal. After the barrels have cooled, they are slit down the side, pried open, pounded flat and sanded down, giving the artist a smooth flat surface, much like a painter’s canvas. The artist chalks his design onto the metal and then, using a hammer and chisel, begins the work of cutting the sculpture and giving it form, detail and dimension. When he is satisfied with his results, he pounds his signature onto the sculpture and seals it with a protective, weather-proof finish.
Though it is protected with a weather-proof finish, this sculpture will rust over time if exposed to outdoor weather. To prevent this from happening, grab a can of spray on enamel at the hardward store and go to it. Once a year should be plenty. It's a snap!
We are proud to support our artists with fair trade practices.
