Description
Artist- Jean Claude Soulouque Whenever I think of going to Jean Claude Soulouque's house, I think, "Have a Coke & a smile." At his home, you can always count on both. A warmer, more gracious man, I cannot imagine. Having worked with him for many years, ours is a business partnership, yes, but also a friendship. Through his art he has supported his own family, putting both his son & his daughter through school. He is a community leader & role model for many young artists who hope to follow in his footsteps. As for his own son, Roody "plays around" a little bit with metal sculpture, but sees his future in the business world. He is currently attending business school & also is employed by It's Cactus as our Inventory & Shipments Manager. Jean Claude & his family are among those who benefit greatly from the opportunities that Fair Trade affords. in them, we see success that not only grows, but also spreads. 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. It's Cactus takes the artists through the next steps. By collaborating with them on design creation, placing orders, paying fair wages, & taking Haitian metal sculptures to the global market, great strides are made in helping the craftsmen of Croix-des-Bouquets help themselves. Guided by cultural respect & conscientious business practice, Beyond Borders & its Haitian artists work toward their mutual goals of uplifting lives. This metal sculpture is meant for display indoors or out, but if you choose to display yours outside, be aware that the protective, weather-proof coating will wear off over time. To keep your sculpture looking just like it did the day you bought it, take five minutes once a year to apply a spray-on clear enamel coating. A few nails & a hammer are all you'll need to hang your sculpture. Look for a place where the design is joined or notched & put the first nail there. Use a second & possibly a third nail, if the piece is large, in other joined or notched design elements within the sculpture to straighten & secure it to the wall. The nails will "disappear" with the piece. Simple as that. Handcrafted Haitian Folk Art, Profile View Girl, Beauty Salon Decor 11.75"x11.25"
