Cat Lady Artwork, Handmade Haitian Stacked Cat on Cat, Fair Trade Recycled Oil Barrels Art 7x16in

Artist Profile- Salomon Jean Balony

“On the 2010 earthquake, my house was destroyed. Thanks God, no one was killed. Since the earthquake, I feel everything has changed. It was the end of the world. Now activities are shyly back. Thanks to the support that we get from It's Cactus, there is still life. But I wish to Haiti back as before, or better. Things cannot remain so.”

Few in the West have had such cathartic experiences as the earthquake that Salomon Jean Belony describes. Born in 1979 to a family of modest means, he began sculpting at the age of 16 under the guidance of Meda Ullysse. As he became more proficient his pieces started to sell, initially to tourists in the area, and later in galleries. Salomon Jean hopes one day to show in exhibitions, around Haiti or abroad. As he says, “The greater dream is becoming more popular, like other great artists, to help my family and to help others in need. I would like to help children. I want them to be able to learn in schools, even if they have no money to pay.”

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.