Joseph Jean Peterson is a twenty nine year old Haitian artisan who owns his own workshop: The St. Charles Bird Workshop. He opened the workshop with with his mother and older brother in 1997, having previously apprenticed with Jean Roosevelt Bauchard.
Supporting his wife and two kids is his main priority but he also enjoys teaching new apprentices the art of metal work. Joseph is well aware that his work is important not only to his family, but to his community as well. He says, “I helped many people to learn this sculpture. My dream is to have a larger workshop and give more people work. I trust in God that my dream will be realized.”
We are so excited to have some of Joseph’s pieces at One World Market. A particular favorite is his rendition of a sun blowing in the wind.
It’s hard to imagine that this gorgeous, flowing work of art was once a large, bulky oil barrel. But it did.
Using recycled 55-gallon oil drums, Joseph first removes both round ends of the drum and places these inside the cylinder along with dried banana or sugar cane leaves. He sets this on fire, to burn off any paint or residue.
When cooled down, the artist then cuts the round drum from top to bottom. The flattening process is a sight to behold, as one of the artists’ helpers will climb inside the drum and using all his weight, push with feet, legs, arms and shoulders to open it up.
It is then pounded into a flattened "metal canvas" of approximately 3" x 6". With chalk, the design is drawn onto the metal sheet.
Now, the real art work begins. Using hammer, chisel and various primitive tools, the shape is cut and the various decorative patterns are pounded into the metal, creating a unique and treasured piece of art.
The finished design is signed by the artist and coated with a protective finish.
So much work goes in to each unique piece, and the proceeds go to support more than just the single artisan. For more information on other Haitian artisans, come by the store today!
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