August 13, 2007

Fabulous Finds: "Soleful" PurposeOne Person's Trash...

by Bonny Osterhage

Anyone can hang a Monet on the wall—okay maybe not anyone, but let’s face it, sticking with the masters is a safe choice when it comes to art. If you want something a bit more interesting (or simply something to hang until you can afford your Monet), consider a Haitian metal sculpture that will add interest to any living space, indoor or out.

Never has the adage “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” been more accurate than when it is applied to these intricately beautiful sculptures, created by Haitian families and artisans out of abandoned oil drums, dumped by tankers off the coast.

Haiti is often said to be the poorest country in the Western hemisphere with more than 60 percent of the inhabitants living well below the poverty level. Many Haitian families depend on the selling of these metal sculptures to put food on the table.

The sculptures are made by collecting the 55-gallon oil drums and cutting off the ends, which are later used for the smaller sculptures. The body is then filled with straw and set on fire in order to burn out any paint or chemical residue. After the drum is burned out, it is sliced down one side and hammered into a flat sheet upon which the artist will create his masterpiece, using only chalk to draw an outline. The sketch is then painstakingly cut out using the most primitive of tools: a hammer and chisel. The finished product is lacquered to withstand outdoor use. The result is a one-of-a kind sculpture, each with a particular significance to the artist who created it.

The sculptures range in size and price (with many under $100), but there are some recurrent themes thought to be influenced by voodoo, which is still practiced in the Croix des Bouquets region of Haiti, where this art form originated.

Mermaids, angels, birds, celestial figures and folkloric scenes are common images, as is the Tree of Life which is thought to be important because it links heaven, earth and the underworld through the branches, trunk and roots of the tree.

Hanging one of these unusually beautiful sculptures in your home or garden is sure to spark conversation from guests. Purchasing one from any number of fair trade marketplaces is sure to spark a sense of pride, knowing that you have done your part to keep these artisans in business. Show me a Monet that can do that!

Haitian Oil Drum sculptures can be purchased through many websites, including www.itscactus.com and www.pachamamaworld.com and www.origincrafts.com.

Any comments?