Product Description
It's Cactus - Haitian Upcycled Oil Barrel Art
Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Standing Mini Nativity Scene, Religious X-Mas Decor 5.5"x5.875"x1.375"
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.
Artist Bio
Unsigned
Having worked in Haiti for over 20 years we have had the pleasure of working with as many as 120 artists cultivating business relationships, and building long lasting friendships. There is a lot of good that comes from Fair Trade because every sale we make makes a positive impact on the artist who produces it. This piece of art is work of many hands. From the laborers who begin the process by removing the residue from discarded steel drums, cutting off the tops and bottoms, splitting them down the side sanding and pounding them flat to the artist who then takes over drawing his design and uses only a hammer and chisel to do the heavy cut work and intricate detailing giving this piece form, dimension, and its distinct character that you see. As you can see, it really takes a village! That is why the benefits flow from the whole workshop and create prosperity for the artist and their families, their workers/apprentices, and, ultimately, the entire village. We are proud to be a part of that, and so are our artists! That’s why you will notice that 99% of our art is signed by the artist. However, sometimes because of the large orders they receive, these artists are working quickly and might forget to sign their art. It happens! But rest assured that, whether or not their piece of art is signed, they got paid for their beautiful piece of art.
