Haitian Garden Decor, Straight Tree of Life Handmade Metal Sculpture, One-of-a-Kind Art 22x21 Inches, Made from Recycled Material

Artist Profile- Norvh St. Bonheur

Fleeing northern Haiti and an outbreak of disease that threatened the children of Port-Margot, Norvh Saint Bonheur moved with his family to Croix-des-Bouquets in 1993 at the age of three. In 1998, his parents returned to Port-Margot, but even then, the family knew that their 3 boys would have better opportunity for education and work in Croix-des-Bouquets than they would up country. Thus, Norvh and his brothers stayed. By the time he was nine, little Norvh was flattening out steel drums in the shop of his neighbor, Pierre Jocelyn.

Later on, Norvh realized that he needed more training to grow in the art of metal sculpture. He joined the shop of Julio Balan, where he learned techniques of drawing and design. Though his first piece of his own design was an angel, the tree of life has come to be Norvh’s favorite, “because it gives fruit to eat. It does give us life.” Now in their 30s, Norvh and his brothers have their own shop. When they can, they send extra money back to their mother and father in Port-Margot. Their parents are deeply appreciative, despite their mother’s often expressed worry that, “You boys are going to break your fingers with those hammers!”

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.