Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Frog Jumping in Kelp, Garden Home Decor

Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Frog Jumping in Kelp, Garden Home Decor 10.5"x13.625"

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 and a hammer are all you'll need to hang your sculpture. Look for a place where the design is joined or notched and put the first nail there. Use a second and possibly a third nail, if the piece is large, in other joined or notched design elements within the sculpture to straighten and secure it to the wall. Make sure that you avoid placing a nail into an eye or mouth, as that will draw attention to the nail. You want the nails to "disappear" into the piece.

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Following four generations of tradition, each piece of Haitian metal art is made entirely by hand with simple tools. Starting with a cast-off steel drum, the metal is cleaned, sanded, and pounded flat. From there, the artist chalks his design onto the metal and then begins the heavy, tedious work of cutting out the pattern with a hammer and chisel and giving the piece detail and dimension. Finally, he applies a clear-coat to the piece, which protects it and makes it perfectly suited for indoor or outdoor display.

Artist- Exulien Exuma

“I went to school to learn design. I have this knowledge. But I left school and I wanted to deepen my knowledge in metal sculpture in order to make a living.” Thus begins the story of the artistic life of Exulien Exuma. He got his start in metal sculpture under the tutelage of Gary Pierre, but soon began creating his own images. Exulien often works in three-dimensions, giving those pieces the extra suggestions of sound and movement. His angels, for instance, have drums, horns and guitars in relief. Indeed, sound is very much a part of his creative process. When he describes his inspiration for his angels, he says, “They come from the heavens to my ears and then to my hands and then to the metal I pound. That's what makes them special."