Description
Artist- JP Richard Derosiers Tiny Croix-des-Bouquet, Haiti is anything but quiet, announcing itself to those who venture there. Hammers clang & chisels tap & in loud proclamation, "We do metal sculpture here!" Indeed, all of our 80-plus artists live & work in this artisan's village, many having learned their trade from fathers, cousins, neighbors & friends. Starting out as young laborers, cleaning & sanding the metal, & banging it flat, they advance to the apprentice stage, where they learn the intricacies of detail & design work. As their skills improve & savings become sufficient, experienced artisans often strike out on their own, selling their own work, forming their own workshops, taking on laborers & apprentices, thereby expanding & perpetuating their craft as well as bringing greater prosperity to their community as a whole. As one artist put it, "I helped many people to learn this sculpture. My dream is to have a larger workshop & give more people work. I trust in God that my dream will be realized." Providing a marketing avenue for the artists is where It's Cactus comes in. Not only do we give the artists access & exposure to the world marketplace, as a member of the Fair-Trade Federation, we ensure that our artists are paid equitably. Additionally, we uphold the highest social & economic standards, & promote long-term sustainability through dialogue, transparency, & respect. Fair trade isn't just a good idea - its the way we do business. We offer a hand up, not a hand out to our artist partners in Haiti. Each sale of their metal sculptures represents a positive step toward a better life. The center of Haitian metal sculpture is the village of Croix-des-Bouquets, where the clanging sound of hammers striking chisels is a constant music. To begin, the artist chalks his design onto the metal. Chisels, dies & a large hammer are used to cut & shape the piece, giving it form & texture. When the highly intricate & physically demanding work is complete & the artist is satisfied with his work, he signs his name boldly with a small chisel & applies a clear, weather-proof coating. The result is a wonderful, fair trade piece of handcrafted art. Handcrafted Haitian Folk Art, Vintage Mermaid At Sea, Eco-Friendly Decor 14"x33"
