Haitian Vintage Home Decor, Fisherman Handcrafted Metal Art, Fair Trade 71x18in

Artist Profile- John Sylvestre

Tender, sensuous, ethereal figures characterize the work of John Sylvestre. The forms of his mermaids and angels are almost otherworldly, serenely defying the cold, hard steel from which they are made.

Seemingly, inspiration is everywhere. Under the sea, in the heavens, in the forests and fields of rural Haiti, in the mythology of the ancients, and in the most fantastic reaches of the mind, there is nowhere too far to stretch. Nothing is off-limits.

Maybe it’s because he’s been at it so long. Since 1968, at the age of 11 when he first picked up a hammer in the workshop of Janvier Louisjuste, John Sylvestre has been pushing the boundries of creative expression. But curiously, despite training with Louisjuste and later with Serge Jolimeau, he doubted his ability. There was a time when he thought it would be wiser to “buy an old truck and be a tap-tap driver.” And not have those dancing, soaring, floating, sailing images in steel? That would have been a shame.

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.

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. The nails will "disappear" with the piece. Simple as that.