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Art
By John Vianney Nsimbe
WEEKLY OBSERVER
Professional interior décor is becoming a must have,
but the common components used in most premises are imported,
thus remain expensive for the average Ugandan.
So, few strain their wallets and purses.
But something can be got cheaper if you know where to look.
There are men making those fancy indoor things that would
blow you away, locally.
Eric Rwakoma, 28, is an artist, but no ordinary artist if
you ask me. He draws and paints once in a while like other
artists, but above all, he’s decided to do the hard
things. He is crafting what you would ordinarily think is
imported.
He has concentrated on making metal chairs, tables and
wardrobes among other metal decorations in different shapes
and designs.
It can be a bird or animal carving chair or a wardrobe in
a woman’s body shape.
This appears hard to make especially the risks that lie
with metal-works but Rwakoma says, “This is my passion;
while on the outside it seems hard to make, that is what
drives me because it is challenging and once I complete
a piece, I’m satisfied.”
Right from his days at Makerere University’s school
of industrial fine-art, his adrenaline was rarely moved
by painting or drawing, but such kind of handiwork.
“It is this that I wanted because I knew for a fact
that there is market for such work. People want fine interior
designs in their homes and I have received orders from many
home owners who want unique things that they wouldn’t
easily find elsewhere,” said Rwakoma.
It is not only the desire for metal works that inspires
his final products; “The woman’s body is an
inspiration, which is why I have many works in female body
shapes. I also know many customers like that because they
ask for such bodily shapes in many things they want to buy.”
Rwakoma’s wardrobe in the shape of a woman’s
body would look good in your bedroom by the way. Also, this
being a competitive world, Rwakoma offers personalized art
- designing exactly what a buyer demands. From his workshop
in Kikoni Makerere, Rwakoma makes chairs, tables, window
frames and beds among other things from metal and wood.
It all depends on what your heart desires. Rwakoma reasons
that there wasn’t any need of having a talent to make
such products and not be able to sell them, so he prices
reasonably.
Artists are not only storming the fashion and design industry,
but they also want to give carpenters and interior designers
a run for their money.
Rwakoma’s studio/shop Rwakahetsi Art Club is near
Baskon Hostel on Sir Apollo kaggwa Road. He is also opening
up a shop in Wandegeya soon.
jovi@ugandaobserver.com
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