What do you think of when you hear “Haitian art”?
Depending on your level of familiarity with Haitian art, you may think of folk art paintings on canvas. Or you may not think of anything at all.
If you haven’t heard of Haitian metal drum art, you’re in for a treat. The metal drums, the 55-gallon ones used to transport oil or other products, are transformed into fantastic designs that range from trees and flowers, birds and animals, to people, angels and biblical scenes.
Although some parts are made from new oil drums, they are usually recycled bought near the port in the capital city of Port-au-Prince and brought to the neighboring town of Croix-des-Bouquets by wheelbarrow or over a tap – tap “(taxi). Croix-des-Bouquets is the center of the Haitian metallurgical movement, and many metal drum artists have their workshops there.
The art of the metal drum in Haiti began in the early 1950s with the blacksmith Georges Liautaud. In his humble workshop, Liautaud had been making and repairing tools and creating simple metal crosses for the graves of the Croix-des-Bouquets cemetery.
The American professor DeWitt Peters, who opened Le Center d’Art in Port-au-Prince in 1944, encouraged Liautaud to expand into the creation of decorative metal sculptures. Some talented men were apprentices to him, and the tradition has continued; a metal drum artist will learn from others, who will branch out and go into business themselves. Peters provided display and instructional space.
To create these works of art, the artist first removes the top and bottom of the drum and places them inside the cylinder along with dried banana or sugar cane leaves. He sets the leaves on fire to burn off any paint or other residue from the drum. Once the metal has cooled, the artist cuts the cylindrical drum from top to bottom, then taps it into a flattened rectangle approximately three by six feet.
The artist draws the design onto the metal sheet with chalk, then cuts it out with a mallet and chisel. Using these and other simple tools, tap the various decorative patterns on the metal, including the concave and convex areas; Create intricate patterns by hammering into bumps of varying heights. Some pieces have three-dimensional designs. Some are very colorful, while others are still metallic in appearance.
The details of these works of art must be seen and touched to be appreciated.
The artist signs the finished design and covers it with a protective varnish. Many art lovers prefer that the art be rust aged and then sealed. In any case, the pieces can be displayed indoors or outdoors.
Used oil drums turned into beautiful works of art. Who would have thought?
