The Steel Drum Metal Art Makers
The Metal Art, also known as Steel Drum Art of Haiti has been famous for decades throughout the world. The metal used is from recycled steel drums. They are cut and flattened and put into a fire to prepare them to be malleable. Then, the artist traces the pattern onto the flat piece and with chisel and "mato" in hand, he begins the tapping that cuts away all that is not the image!
It is a somewhat musical process!
We met the group of Artisans years ago in Croix Des Bouquet a community on the outskirts of Port Au Prince. They have established a lovely village there where many artists gather to work individually and sometimes together. There is a sense of personal power and responsibility to make good use of local skills and materials. It is truly beautiful to me!