PORTFOLIO – 48.

KIMATHI DONKOR; HISTORICAL INFLUENCES.

By Nii B. Andrews.

The scenes from ancient Egyptian art have always inspired Dr. Kimathi Donkor.

He has particularly focused on Kush and Kemet and the women portrayed in paintings from that era.

Donkor also admits to being strongly influenced by rock art from Africa.

All of these influences with striking modern updates have converged in Donkor’s latest series for his upcoming exhibition in London.

The pieces show well poised women concentrating on various tasks while engaged on their tablets and smartphones.

Maybe they are balancing financial records, or writing an opinion piece for a high profile news journal, or a romantic letter.

This is a departure from the clichéd paintings of women carrying pots or bundles of firewood against a backdrop of huts and teeming vegetation.

Dr. Donkor is of Ghanaian, Anglo-Jewish and Jamaican family heritage; was born in Bournemouth in England and earned his PhD at Chelsea College of Arts in 2016.

He also holds an MA degree from Camberwell College of Art and a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Goldsmiths College.

His work is in important museums, galleries and private collections.

Currently Donkor is represented by the Ed Cross Fine Art Gallery; his work will be shown at the London Art Fair from January 15 – 20, 2019.

3 thoughts on “PORTFOLIO – 48.”

  1. Love the subtlety of his Work. Hope he will participate in Ghana pavilion at Venice bienale.

  2. Thanks to a new generation of artists ( fully Ghanaian or not) the image of African women will be improved as they are increasingly associated with modern trends.
    I will encourage friends and family to visit the exhibition in London.

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