Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Welcome You with Open Arms Angel, Recycled Oil Barrel Art

Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Welcome You with Open Arms Angel, Recycled Oil Barrel Art 11.5"x15.5"

Artist- Jean Fleurico Delpe
Jean Fleurico Delpe knows that good design is the thing. Having created three of It's Cactus' top-selling pieces, he takes design seriously. By his own admission, he says, “When I was in school, I used to make designs for my classmates. But to get ahead in metal sculpture, you have to know how to do that yourself.”

Born in 1979, Jean Fleurico claims he “grew up in a metal sculpture workshop.” His cousin, Jose Delpe was a designer that he looked up to from an early age, but it was Hubert Bernard that gave him his start. Keeping up with his formal education, his grandmother raised him and gave him money to cover the school fees. However, after graduation, it was metal sculpture that drew him and defined his profession. Today, Jean Fleurico supports his extended family. “Now I can make money. I keep doing this for all my life because I fill my need with this work.”

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.