Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Rock & Roll Angel Playing Guitar, Musical Choir Decor

Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Rock & Roll Angel Playing Guitar, Musical Choir Decor 10.25"x15"

Artist- Cheriban Jean Yourdly
In the busy shop of Cheriban Jean Yourdly, the clanging and banging of hammer and chisel against steel rings incessantly. Six of his friends, themselves budding artists, work hard with him to precisely execute his ever-expanding repertoire of designs. He says, “I listen to music and sometimes a new idea comes to me. At night sometimes too. I get up and draw my design when it is fresh in my thoughts.”

Cheriban has been working in metal sculpture since 2000, when he began as an apprentice with Julio Balan. Though he is not married and has no children, he comes from a large family and works to support his mother, father and 8 brothers and sisters. In fact, many of his sculptures depict mothers and daughters, or sisters singing and playing music together. The closeness of his family is clearly in evidence in his art.

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.