The Villager 2

Name of the artwork: The Villager 2 (The Drummer)
Dimensions: 61 cm x 86 cm
Medium: Ballpoint Pen on Paper
Year: 2023
Characteristic: Unique Selling Proposition, Certificate of Authenticity, Unframed

Meaning:

Douglas Mutebi often finds himself drawn to quiet moments of remembrance, especially memories from his childhood in the village, where he used to live. Through this artwork, he shares these precious stories of rural life and the simple joys that shaped him.

"The Villager 2" captures a special moment that still brings warmth to his heart. During a wedding in the village, many families couldn't afford to invit musicians for their celebrations. Instead, they relied on traditional drums to fill the air with music and joy. On this particular day, the drums hadn't arrived yet, but Douglas and his friends couldn't wait to celebrate. With the spirit of childhood creativity, he found a jelly can and transformed it into their makeshift drum. As he played rhythms on his improvised instrument, his friends gathered around - some singing, others dancing, all sharing in the pure happiness of the moment.

"It was such a very joyful moment," Douglas reflects. This beautiful memory represents the heart of village life - where community comes together, where creativity blooms from simplicity, and where the greatest celebrations come not from expensive things, but from shared joy and friendship.

Through "The Villager 2," Douglas invites viewers to experience the warmth of his childhood, celebrating the resourcefulness and happiness that defined his early years in Uganda. It's a tribute to the power of community and the lasting impact of simple, heartfelt moments.