Joseph Louis-Juste Haitian Metal Relief Sculpture of Figure with Fish

Item Details

Joseph Louis-Juste (Haitian, 20th century)
Untitled (figure with fish)
Cut and incised repurposed steel
Signature incised to lower edge

Haitian metal art is crafted by hand using recycled steel shipping drums. The drums are first burned removing any residual paint or residue, then flattened creating rectangular sheets of metal. The artist then crafts their work by hand, cutting, punching, hammering, and shaping the metal into the desired forms. The imagery is often inspired by Haitian Vodou (voodoo) practices and beliefs, as well as featuring nature and animal motifs. The art of Haitian Vodou combines elements from its West African roots with the iconography of Catholicism and with modern heroes and traditions. For instance, the loa (Vodou divinity) Erzulie Freda is often portrayed similarly to the Virgin Mary as “Our Lady of Sorrows” and the loa Ogoun shares traits with St. James.

The artwork was first developed in the village of Croix-de-Bouquets in the 1950s by blacksmith Georges Liautaud. Known as the “father” of the craft, he began by making crosses for the local cemetery using recycled metal from steel drums. He was encouraged to expand into sculpture by DeWitt Peters and Antonio Joseph, artists and founders of Le Centre d’Art in Port-au-Prince. His figural works gained local and international acclaim, and in time Haitian artists began to travel to Croix-des-Bouquets to apprentice with Liautaud and to set up their own workshops.

Condition

- rust throughout; scratches and minor surface wear.

Dimensions

Item #

ITMG273936