Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Big Fish in Kelp, Eco-Friendly Beach Home, Nautical

Handcrafted Haitian Metal Art, Big Fish in Kelp, Eco-Friendly Beach Home, Nautical 12.125"x12.125"

Artist- Guy Duval
Folk art, by one definition, is described as, “that which represents a mixture of vernacular aesthetics, popular demand, historical fascination, memory, sentiment and patriotism.” Guy Duval is one such young artist with great confidence and talent. And why not? He apprenticed under one of the current great folk-art masters of metal sculpture, Hubert Bernard. His relationship with Bernard goes beyond the artistic and into the spiritual realm, as Bernard is his pastor as well. Guy is currently working on large fish designs, fish being important to his island country as a food source, a symbol of the sea in Voodoo culture, and additionally as a Christian icon.

In a recent letter to Casey Riddell of It's Cactus, Guy wrote, “I take this moment extraordinary to introduce to you my model of fish. I think you and your friends are going to like it very much. Madame, I am young, but I have a lot of experience at this work. God bless you!!"

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.