Artist: KIMATHI DONKOR - 4me4you
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4Me4You Features - ‘BLACK HISTORY PAINTING’.

Artist: KIMATHI DONKOR

ABOUT ME

4me4you features the artist KIMATHI DONKOR - ‘BLACK HISTORY PAINTING’.

MY PROCESS

Recently, 4me4you had the privilege of exploring the captivating showcase at the Niru Ratnam Gallery, featuring the exhibition 'Black History Painting.' Kimathi Donkor spearheads an essential narrative, re-centering black historical figures often neglected by mainstream Western historical discourse or tragically subjected to police and state brutality.

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Through adeptly employing the tools of history painting, Donkor not only pays homage to this genre's visual language but actively seeks to diversify its canon. His dedication to this cause dates back to the early 2000s, with his works foreshadowing contemporary dialogues in both art history and broader societal contexts.

Notably, Donkor's approach bears a striking resemblance to the scholarly concept of 'critical fabulation' as articulated by Saidiya Hartman, blurring the boundaries between history and imagination.

Artist: KIMATHI DONKOR
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Artist: KIMATHI DONKOR
Artist: KIMATHI DONKOR

  • At the heart of Donkor’s artistic oeuvre lies a dual mission: not only does he endeavour to reintegrate these marginalised figures into contemporary consciousness, but he also offers a critical examination of the art historical tradition of history painting.

  • He achieves this not only through stylistic nods but also through deliberate references to specific artworks. For instance, his piece ‘Nanny of the Maroons: Fifth Act of Mercy’ (2012), currently displayed at the National Portrait Gallery, subtly mirrors Joshua Reynolds’ portrait ‘Jane Fleming, Later Countess of Harrington’ (1778), spotlighting the lineage of a British aristocrat whose family profited from Jamaican plantation enslavement.

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  • Drawing from historical documentation, speculative imagination, and the very essence of history painting, Donkor proposes a more inclusive understanding of the genre—one that transcends the confines of colonialist perspectives. In his latest exhibition at Niru Ratnam, Donkor unveils two poignant new paintings, extending his ongoing narrative. Complementing these are selections from his 2014 repertoire and notable works showcased at the Sharjah Biennial (2023), along with accompanying pieces on paper and a captivating film installation.

Artist: KIMATHI DONKOR

Artist: KIMATHI DONKOR

GALLERY: NIRU RATNAM

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