Gesner Abelard (Haitian/b.1922)
HASCO Cain Cutters, circa 1948
Oil on cardboard, 20 x 16 inches
Framed dimensions: 21 1/4 x 17 1/4 inches

Lot Essay:
HASCO Sugar Factory Cane Cutters stands as a memory scene respecting farm workers incredibly difficult days in the sugar making process. Through trade and industry, the history of Haitian sugar production has multiple ties with US markets from pre-revolutionary time to the mid 1980s. HASCO, a US company, opened in 1912, operated through the occupation years of 1915 to 1934, ultimately closing in 1987, one year after the Dechokaj (overthrowing Duvalier rule).

Following the Haitian Revolution, which had as one of its goals ending the forced labor sugar production enriching France, cane field and factory work continued; Haiti was primarily sugar self sufficient for culinary applications as well as rum and clairin distillation. From the 1980s Haitian markets were flooded with cheap sugar, effectively restricting much of the local sugar industry and the associated production and distribution jobs, as well as farms.