Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Stacked Animals, Costume Animal Calf Sheep Rooster, Whimsical

Artist- Davidson Thenor

Using simple, graceful lines and earthy motifs, Davidson Thenor has been a steady producer for It's Cactus for a number of years. Born in 1987 to a large family of modest means, he learned from his parents the value of education and hard work. He mastered the techniques of “coupe de fer” or iron-cutting, through the instruction of neighbors and friends in Croix-des-Bouquets, among them Winston Cajuste, Wiseton Brutus, and Jean Claude Soulouque. Davidson claims no particular source of inspiration for his work, saying that it can come from anywhere. Anything he sees is a design he can imagine working into the metal with hammer and chisel. Like so many others in the village, he longs to improve the life of his family through his art, providing for them a secure, healthy, and prosperous future.

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.