Handcrafted Haitian Folk Art, Birds Flying in Sunflower Garden, Eco-Friendly Patio Decor

Handcrafted Haitian Folk Art, Birds Flying in Sunflower Garden, Eco-Friendly Patio Decor 15"x34"

Artist- Joseph Jean Peterson
“I am Joseph Jean Peterson. I have originated in Haiti in April, 1982. I am married. I have two small boys.” In this way, Joseph introduces himself. He is a handsome man with a slow, but genuine smile. His workshop, “The St. Charles Bird Workshop” is a lively colorful place, with sunset orange-colored walls and the constant cacophony of clanging, banging metal against metal. A family-oriented man, he opened his shop with his mother and older brother in 1997, having previously apprenticed with Jean Roosevelt Bauchard.

His imagery is versatile; Joseph’s creative mind running the gamut from mermaids and fish in the seas to gardens of sunflowers and children at play, to stars in the heavens. His masks can be representative of surprised school girls in dread-lock pigtails or fearsome 3-D warriors from dark and savage jungles. There is such a range in his designs as to lead one to the conclusion that he can do it all.

Joseph is well aware that his work is important not only to his family, but to his community as well. He says, “I helped many people to learn this sculpture. My dream is to have a larger workshop and give more people work. I trust in God that my dream will be realized.”

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 and a large hammer are used to cut and shape the piece, giving it form and texture. When the highly intricate and physically demanding work is complete and the artist is satisfied with his work, he signs his name boldly with a small chisel and applies a clear, weather-proof coating. The result is a wonderful, fair trade piece of handcrafted art.