METAL ART
Haitian Sculpture
- Detail from a John Sylvestre Relief Sculpture
How Oil Drum Sculptures are MadeHaitian Oil Drum Sculpture Artists, now working in Croix-des-Bouquets, are the second and third generations, allowing a debt of thanks to the art form's initiator, Georges Liautaud.
Even today old metal drums, once used for transporting oil and other petro-chemical products, are brought by cart or on top of a taxi to the artists' workshops.
To prepare a drum, the artist first removes the ends which are used for smaller sculptures. A vertical slit is then cut along the length of the cylinder. Next the drum is stuffed with straw and paper, and set on fire to burn off any remaining paint and chemical residue. When the drum cools down it is ready to be flattened into the shape from which a sculpture can be created.
The whole sheet of metal is then hammered to make it easier to cut. Any excess charred oil, paint or rust is rubbed off before the artist chalks in his design. Then the design is cut out with a hammer and chisel. The finished piece is signed by the artist and coated with a film of varnish.
Each piece has significance or tells a story that, more often than not, is strongly influenced by Vodou, the religion developed in Haiti by slaves first brought from Africa in the sixteenth century. Many of the sculptures are representations of mermaids, snakes, dragons, angels, devils, and other beasts.
Some consider these metal relief sculptures the most innovative works since Alexander Calder's Mobiles. They grace such prestigious institutions as the Museums of Modern Art in Paris and New York.
<-Dieudonne Poteau
Serge Jolimeau


At the age of 12, Serge Jolimeau, born in 1952, apprenticed under metal sculptor Serisier Louisjuste. Early on he was known for his daring inventions and fertile imagination, bringing a graceful eroticism to Haitian art, representing compositions of lithe human bodies, fantastic or realistic animals, figures from mythology and flirtatious birds.
Having exhibited in many one man shows across Mexico, Germany, France and the United States, Serge is internationally renowned and mentioned in over fifty art books.
John Sylvestre
Born in Croix-des-Bouquets on September 22, 1957, John Sylvestre began sculpting early in his adolescence.
After studying under Janvier Louisguste and Serge Jolimeau, he decided to work alone in 1975.
His work has gained him a wide international reputation.
Julio Balan 

Born in 1973, Julio Balan is considered one of the youngest and most talented metal sculptors on the island. He is married with three children and fills his themes with lively patterns that tell us of an everyday life that is productive, spiritual and satisfying. His work continues to gain an international reputation.
Julio Balan and his three brothers - Jonas, Joel, and Romel - were taught by their close neighbor, John Sylvestre. In their lakou, or shared compound, the Balans often work together to produce art from metal drum pieces. Like most of the other sculptors they depict the Vodou spirits in their work. Particular favorites are Agwe, master of the sea, represented by a boat, and the Marasa, the twins associated with children and procreation.
Jose Delpé


Jose is one of the youngest artists in Croix des-Bouquets. He is developing a unique style by welding metal pieces together to make three dimensional sculptures that are full of movement and menace. His newer pieces are getting bigger and more adventurous, and it seems he has a bright future as a metal sculptor.
More Haitian Metal Art...
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Hsu Studio - Mobiles
Hsu Studios is a husband and wife team - Carol and Jean-Pierre Hsu. They have been artist/designers for 28 years. Their aerodynamic creations are called "mobiles", a kind of moving sculpture made from anodized aluminum. Lightweight and colorful, aluminum is the perfect material for making their airy, flowing forms that move with indoor currents of air.



