Angelic Embrace Haitian Oil Drum Wall Art

A wonderful piece that you will be proud to show in your home, this haging metal Angel was hand cut from a flattened 55 gallon steel oil drum. All of the details for the piece are expertly worked by the artist, with hammer and chisel, into a beautiful piece of collector quality Haitian steel drum art.

About Haitian Metal Drum Art

In the 1950’s, DeWitt Peters, a patron of Haitian arts, was intrigued by the iron crosses marking many of the above ground tombs. Peters discovered the blacksmith who had fashioned the crosses, soon to be renowned Haitian artist Georges Liautaud….and so began Haitian metal art. The original raw material was iron, but with many goods shipped to Haiti in 55 gallon steel drums, there was a ready supply of discarded drums for the artisans.

Over the years, the number of ” Liautaud Disciples” has multiplied via families and mentor/students embracing the craft. The center for Haitian metal arts is the village of Croix-des-Bouquets, where the clang-clang of metal on metal, the chisels and hammers banging out the sculptures, provides a constant music.

The artisans start with designs inspired by nature and culture. From original cardboard patterns, they trace their designs with chalk on the flattened metal from torn down steel drums. With chisels and hammers, they carefully cut and decorate the metal by hand. Every detail, every leaf vein, every bead is created with the stroke of the artist’s hand. No repetitive stamping or machinery is used in the production process. Each shape is then fashioned and smoothed with many designs featuring 3-D additions. Then the artist boldly and proudly chisel their name, if room, on the metal sculpture they have just created.

- Indoor or Outdoor use
- Handrafted by artist
- Fair Trade
- Made from recycled 55 gallon steel drums