Haitian Metal Wall Art

Handmade Haitian Metal Wall Art or Steel Oil Drum Art turns discarded 55 gallon used oil drums into detailed recycled wall art and amazing steel wall hangings.  A folk art form that
began in Haiti in the 1950's, Haitian metal sculpture is now recognized throughout the world. Hand drawn, hand hammered and hand chiseled from discarded oil drums to create meticulously detailed steel wall art from some of the most talented metal sculpture artisans in Haiti.

All of our Fair Trade Haitian Metal Artwork comes from the small artisan village of Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti. A tiny village of hammers clanging and chisels tapping turning used 55 gallon oil drums into works of art, many worthy of museum display.

The lids from the steel oil drums are removed then filled with banana or sugar cane leaves the burned to remove the paint and prep the steel. Once the drum is cooled it is cut from top to bottom then flattened using body weight, pushing with feet and arms and pounded flat to create a metal canvas. A pattern is then drawn onto the metal sheet using chalk and cut and textured with basic hand tools such as hammer and chisel. Hand smoothing rough edges and beating out convex and concave shapes to give each piece life the intricate piece is then signed by the artist, boldly with a small chisel.

Approximately 70% of Haiti’s 7 million people are unemployed. Artisans who are able to export their artwork to the US under fair labor conditions have the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty and improve their quality of life. One World Fair Trade is proud to represent the Handmade Haitian Metal Wall Art from many of these artisans, providing them access and exposure to the world marketplace.