Global Crafts
Hand-Painted Hibiscus Elephant-Haitian Metal Drum Art - Fair Trade
Hand-Painted Hibiscus Elephant-Haitian Metal Drum Art - Fair Trade
Couldn't load pickup availability
Hand-crafted from recycled 55-gallon steel drums by village artisans in Haiti, these stunning pieces of art are truly one-of-a-kind! The elephant trunk pointed upward signifies luck, prosperity, and kindness. This piece intertwines the Haitian tropics with the hibiscus beautifully woven into the majestic elephant.
- Type: Metal Wall Art
- Colors: Bright, Tropical
- Materials: Upcycled Steel Metal
- Finish: clear coat and Paint
- Dimensions: Approx. 14" Diameter
- Care: If displaying outdoors it is recommended to spray with a clear coat once or twice a year, as prolonged exposure to the elements will cause rust.
- Hanging Instructions: To hang metal art simply use pin headnails in the many nooks and spaces available in the design. If nails are shiny, you may want to darken heads with a black marker to help nails visually disappear.
- Suitable for Indoor or Outdoor Use.
Given the handmade nature of this product please allow for minor variations. The un-painted back is shown.Â
The Story Behind the Art
The process of turning sheets of metal into beautiful art is all done by hand. Steel drums used to transport oil into the capital of Haiti are cut, and the oil is burned off to clean the metal and then flattened to create stunning, upcycled art. As the metal is recovered from recycled oil drums and colored through a burning process it will vary slightly in coloration. Typically the piece has a darkened steel patina. If hand-painted, exact colors may vary, which speaks to the one-of-a-kind nature of each piece. Each piece of metal art whether painted or natural is coated with a layer of clear coat to help protect the metal.Â
About the Artisans
About the Artisans
When you visit Croix des Bouquets, the area of town known for Haitian metal art in the capital of Port-Au-Prince, you are met with a cacophony of tink, tink, tink as ball peen hammers strike sheets of steel. The sheets are cut from steel drums colored by oil and other liquids the drums once held. The process of turning sheets of metal into beautiful wall art is all done by hand, from cutting holes that become edges of trees and leaves, to accenting each lizard with a texture of scales, to painting or lacquering the final design. The artists are proud of their work, signing the pieces on the back side which leaves a raised, reversed signature on the front.
