Haitian Home Decor, Angel Trumpeter & Drummer Stand, Handmade Art 36x28in

Artist Profile- Cheriban Jean Yourdly

In the busy shop of Cheriban Jean Yourdly, the clanging and banging of hammer and chisel against steel rings incessantly. Six of his friends, themselves budding artists, work hard with him to precisely execute his ever-expanding repertoire of designs. He says, “I listen to music and sometimes a new idea comes to me. At night sometimes too. I get up and draw my design when it is fresh in my thoughts.”

Cheriban has been working in metal sculpture since 2000, when he began as an apprentice with Julio Balan. Though he is not married and has no children, he comes from a large family and works to support his mother, father and 8 brothers and sisters. In fact, many of his sculptures depict mothers and daughters, or sisters singing and playing music together. The closeness of his family is clearly in evidence in his art.

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.