#Rafagundu

Evaluation: £5130	On Display at: Roadhouse Whitland	Material: Acrylic on Canvas	Resolution: 7622X3521
Offered To And Excepted by: Roadhouse Whitland	Status: Owed By Roadhouse Whitland	Purchase/Claimable: Request / No	Size: 14.59MB | 27MP
Artist: Ryco Montefont	Category: Painting	Contact Artist: Here	Approx. Physical Size: 60x30cm

#Rafagundu

Painting

Higher resolution crop about two cm2 from the artwork above

The story behind the artwork.

The Tale of “Rafagundu”
By Art de Ryco

Art de Ryco, a peculiar artist known for his wild, abstract creations, is a wandering soul. He had never been one for riches or fame, despite his undeniable talent. Among his finest works was a piece titled Rafagundu, a chaotic blend of colors, shapes, and textures that seemed to whisper stories of both madness and brilliance. Many art critics claimed it was a masterpiece ahead of its time—though no one quite knew what the painting represented.

One cold, damp afternoon in a small coastal town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Art de Ryco found himself penniless, tired, and dreadfully hungry. He had been traveling for days with nothing more than his art supplies and Rafagundu rolled up in his worn leather bag. Stumbling into a local pub, called Roadhouse Whitland, he could smell the sweet, savory scent of beef steak, gammon, and freshly baked bread. His stomach growled louder than the seagulls outside.

Behind the counter stood the restaurant manager—a a witty, jolly man. He looked up as Art de Ryco approached.

“What’ll it be, then?” the gaffer asked with a grin.

Art reached into his pockets but found nothing but a few crumpled sketches and some lint. Embarrassed, he hesitated. Then, with a sudden burst of inspiration, he reached into his bag and pulled Rafagundu, placing it on the bar in front of the gaffer.

“I have no money,” Art admitted. “But perhaps I can offer you this instead. It’s called Rafagundu. My finest work, or so I’ve been told.”

The gaffer scratched his chin, eyeing the swirling, abstract forms of the painting. It was unlike anything he’d ever seen. The wild strokes and bizarre colors seemed almost alive, as though they were dancing before his very eyes. He didn’t understand art much, but he knew a unique piece when he saw one. Besides, the pub’s walls could have accommodated, something like this would certainly liven the place up.

“Aye, it’s a bit mad,” the gaffer said, still studying the canvas. “But I’ll tell ya what—I’ll give ya a decent lunch and a couple of pints of the best lager we’ve got, and you leave that beauty with me.”

Art de Ryco’s eyes lit up. A warm meal with a starter, salad, and a couple of drinks sounded like heaven. Without a second thought, he nodded.

“You’ve got yourself a deal.”

As Art sat down, the gaffer brought out the Halloumi fries, followed by the Roadhouse Grill and the Roadhouse salad, along with two pints of frothy beer. The artist ate heartily, savoring every bite as if it were his last. He had never enjoyed a meal so much.

Meanwhile, Rafagundu was carefully hung on the pub’s wall. It stood out, its wild energy clashing with the otherwise cozy atmosphere of the room. Customers would stop and stare at the painting, captivated by its strange beauty, though none could quite understand it.

In time, Rafagundu became a local legend. People from neighboring towns and also overseas would come to Roadhouse Whitland just to see the peculiar artwork, each person offering their own interpretation of its meaning. The gaffer’s pub flourished, gaining a reputation not just for its food and lager, but also for its unexpected art collection.

As for Art de Ryco, he moved on, never looking back. To him, Rafagundu was simply a token of his journey, exchanged for a meal that had satisfied both his stomach and soul. Yet, little did he know that the painting he had traded for a humble lunch would one day be considered priceless—an enigma that inspired countless stories, none greater than the tale of the starving artist and the manager who saw beauty in madness.

And so, Rafagundu lived on, a reminder that true value often lies not in gold or coin, but in shared moments, the art of living, and the stories we leave behind.

P.S. Little did the pub manager know that Art de Ryco was not just a wandering artist, but also a level 9 guide on Google Maps, a keen review writer on TripAdvisor, and a respected food critic. He was the founder and visionary behind Gourmeturant and eaplo.com, with a large following on TikTok and several other social media platforms. Art de Ryco’s influence stretched far and wide.

After leaving the pub, Art de Ryco wrote glowing reviews about Roadhouse Whitland, praising the warm hospitality, the exceptional three-course meal, and the unique atmosphere enhanced by Rafagundu. His posts went viral, drawing food lovers and art enthusiasts from all over. Soon, the pub was packed with curious visitors eager to experience the now-famous artwork and taste the food that had so impressed the mysterious artist. Business boomed, and the gaffer unknowingly benefited from the artist’s hidden talents, forever grateful for the day he traded a meal for a masterpiece.