They craft a living from art
Feb 16, 2010
IN Nantabulilwa village near Seeta town on the Mukono-Kampala highway are three school drop-outs who make a living from sculpture. Fred Kigozi,23, had no idea that his future lied in his hands. He attended Ndeeba Secondary School where he studied history, economics, geography and fine art.
By Joel Ogwang
IN Nantabulilwa village near Seeta town on the Mukono-Kampala highway are three school drop-outs who make a living from sculpture. Fred Kigozi,23, had no idea that his future lied in his hands. He attended Ndeeba Secondary School where he studied history, economics, geography and fine art.
Dropping out of school After his A’level in 2007, Kigozi failed to proceed with studies due to lack of tuition fees. He looked for a job in vain. Tired of knocking at office doors, he chose to practice what he had learnt in his Fine
Art lessons.
Kigozi and two other friends, Tony Kayanja, 20; and Eric Ssebuliba, 14; now rent a site near Seeta Church where they make and sell their art pieces.
They pay sh50,000 for rent a month. “We chose the site because it is strategically located along the highway,†says Kayanja. “Many people admire our products and get the urge to buy,†he adds.
Unlike Kigozi, who completed A’level, Kayanja dropped out after Senior Four while Ssebuliba sat his Primary Leaving Exams (PLE) in 2008. However, his parents failed to raise fees for secondary education.
The sculptures
The young men have sculptures of antelopes, goats, hyenas and monkeys, costing between sh60,000 to sh80,000 for the smaller ones and up to sh2m for bigger art works. The products are carefully crafted from paper, wood glue, wood dust, cement, wire mesh, iron bars and paint that the youngsters plough back after trade-offs.
Challenges
“Some customers invite us to make for them pieces at their home,†says Kayanja. “But the problem comes down to payment.â€
Whilst customers deposit half the fees before work kicks-off, they default on the final half. “We share the proceeds equally. We afford meals and transport to and from home,†Kigozi says.
To boost their capacity and sharpen their skills, they grace art exhibitions at Festino Cite in Mukono and Lugogo. However, because of their attractive displays, customers hesitate to visit their stall for fear of being charged expensively for the pieces.
As a result of their practical skills, university students approach them for coaching on sculpture. Fine art students from Kyambogo and Makerere universities seek consultation at an agreed fee. Their passion for formal education has not yet died. Kigozi intends to raise money to pay for his university tuition while Ssebuliba and Kayanja want to complete their secondary education.
As they sweat under the scorching sun chipping pieces of wood away, their dream remains alive. Their work testifies the power of practical knowledge over theory. In the absence of university degrees, it is the practical skills, not theory, that put bread on their table.
IN Nantabulilwa village near Seeta town on the Mukono-Kampala highway are three school drop-outs who make a living from sculpture. Fred Kigozi,23, had no idea that his future lied in his hands. He attended Ndeeba Secondary School where he studied history, economics, geography and fine art.
Dropping out of school After his A’level in 2007, Kigozi failed to proceed with studies due to lack of tuition fees. He looked for a job in vain. Tired of knocking at office doors, he chose to practice what he had learnt in his Fine
Art lessons.
Kigozi and two other friends, Tony Kayanja, 20; and Eric Ssebuliba, 14; now rent a site near Seeta Church where they make and sell their art pieces.
They pay sh50,000 for rent a month. “We chose the site because it is strategically located along the highway,†says Kayanja. “Many people admire our products and get the urge to buy,†he adds.
Unlike Kigozi, who completed A’level, Kayanja dropped out after Senior Four while Ssebuliba sat his Primary Leaving Exams (PLE) in 2008. However, his parents failed to raise fees for secondary education.
The sculptures
The young men have sculptures of antelopes, goats, hyenas and monkeys, costing between sh60,000 to sh80,000 for the smaller ones and up to sh2m for bigger art works. The products are carefully crafted from paper, wood glue, wood dust, cement, wire mesh, iron bars and paint that the youngsters plough back after trade-offs.
Challenges
“Some customers invite us to make for them pieces at their home,†says Kayanja. “But the problem comes down to payment.â€
Whilst customers deposit half the fees before work kicks-off, they default on the final half. “We share the proceeds equally. We afford meals and transport to and from home,†Kigozi says.
To boost their capacity and sharpen their skills, they grace art exhibitions at Festino Cite in Mukono and Lugogo. However, because of their attractive displays, customers hesitate to visit their stall for fear of being charged expensively for the pieces.
As a result of their practical skills, university students approach them for coaching on sculpture. Fine art students from Kyambogo and Makerere universities seek consultation at an agreed fee. Their passion for formal education has not yet died. Kigozi intends to raise money to pay for his university tuition while Ssebuliba and Kayanja want to complete their secondary education.
As they sweat under the scorching sun chipping pieces of wood away, their dream remains alive. Their work testifies the power of practical knowledge over theory. In the absence of university degrees, it is the practical skills, not theory, that put bread on their table.