The Desired Effect: Spotlight on Guerlande Balan

Guerlande Balan is a visionary; as a child, she was so enamored with the tradition of metal sculpting, that she began helping her older brother in order to learn the skill.  Her brother, Julio Balan, is quite famous in the tradition; he allowed her to learn the trade beginning with burning out the barrels, sanding the metal and pounding it flat to prepare it for designs.

Guerlande Balan

The practice of Haitian metal art is one of the many unique art forms from the island. “Bosmétal,” the technique of transforming recycled cans and oil drums was first used to make cross shaped grave markers. The technique expanded to metal wall hangings and sculpture depicting religious themes or scenes from everyday life. Haitian wall hangings are presented in museums around the world.

In Haiti, resources are scarce, and artisans make use of available materials, such as a 55-gallon steel drum.  Hand-crafted from cast-off 55-gallon steel oil drums, artists follow four generations of tradition in metal sculpture. Drums that carried oil and other products have their ends removed and then the insides are burned out by setting fire to the insides using an accelerant of banana leaves or sugar cane leaves. Once the paint and residue has burned off, the drum is flattened using the weight of the body and mallets. Afterwards, using hand tools, the metal is cut or sculpted into art. It’s labor intensive and has solely been the domain of men. Ms. Balan has broken traditions by creating beautiful works in communities dominated by men. And in this pursuit, she was supported by her brother.

Julio saw that his little sister not only had desire to learn, she had an eye for style and hands eager to execute. With his encouragement, she began creating her own designs. Now, her creative process is such that she first visualizes the design having been inspired by nature or the culture. She then uses chalk to draw the design onto the flattened metal and then, using only a hammer and chisel gives it form and dimension. 

Ms. Balan is receiving attention for her beautiful works and she has indeed inspired other young women in metal arts; it can be challenging to be “the only” or the “first” woman working in any industry most especially one that relies on the body.  Ms. Balan continues to shine; she’s been written about and is getting a reputation for as much for her art as her status as ‘unicorn’; she’s even been memorialized in a children’s book!  Her proudest creation, she always says is her daughter.  May her young daughter be as inspired by her mother as we all are.