Fourth World Art

When Haiti experienced the worst earthquake in 200 years, on January 12th 2010, Lilian Lee our founder, felt compelled to offer her architectural skills to help with the rebuilding efforts. After spending 3months in Haiti, 9months after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake, she not only witnessed devastation, poverty and corruption, but also experienced severe weather conditions, (tropical storm Tomas), political riots, (presidential elections) and the outbreak of cholera. After such an intense experience, she was determined to keep supporting Haiti. “Haitian’s are resilient people, considering 80% of a 10million strong population, survive off £1.50 a day, living day-to-day is their way of life. It puts your life into perspective.” Lilian further shares, “amidst all the adversities Haitian’s face, joy and hope is translated into their art.” Haitian artisans beautifully create hand crafted objects with virtually no resources. Old oil drums are transformed into pieces of sculpture; old jeans and scrap fabrics are rough canvases turned into brilliant oil paintings; and discarded cereal boxes become beads used to create amazing jewellery. The art is not only helping Haitian’s portray a hopeful life, it literally is helping Haiti rebuild. The Haitian art industry constitutes 10% of all Haitian exports amounting to roughly £6million annually to the Haitian economy (IDB 2012). It also offers a direct exchange with the local Haitian communities, bypassing any international third party. Fourth World Art is a social enterprise that seeks to empower artisan communities to rebuild from crisis. We promote artisans, by encouraging self-sufficiency, entrepreneurship and grassroots enterprise. Profits from the sale of the art help with rebuilding communities either by way of economic, educational or community development. “Fourth World Art helps people buy a piece of hope.”