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Idyls

Idyls is a series of paintings which depict visions, memories and hopes of calm moments enjoyed by loving families or companions in places of pastoral serenity.

Works from the series have been shown in group exhibitions at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, Kettles Yard, the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy, University College London Hospital, Thames-Side Studio Gallery and in solo exhibitions at DKUK and Niru Ratnam. Throughout 2023 an oversize print of ‘On Episode Seven’ was on view at Holland Park in West London, curated by Black Blossoms.

Call Me Blessed (2016, oil and acrylic on canvas, 80 x 100cm)
Let Us Go Over (2016, oil and acrylic on canvas, 80 x 100cm, collection of Sir Richard Heaton)
On Episode Seven (2020, acrylic paints on linen, 61cm x 76cm)
Andromeda with Gorgophone, Autochthe and Perseus (2021, acrylic paints on linen, 61cm x 76cm)
Idyl of Osun, Ifé and Sango (2019, acrylic on linen, 76 x 61 cm)
The Hikers (2022, acrylic on linen, 76 x 61 cm)
Mumbis Return (2019, acrylic on linen, 61cm x 76cm)
Descending A Dune (2020, acrylic on linen, 76 x 61cm)
To Dance… (2023, acrylic on linen, 91.5  x 122 cm)
Idyl of Asase, Nyame and Abena (2019, acrylic on linen, 61 x 76cm)
Idyl of Abar and Piye (2020, acrylic on linen, 76 x 61cm)
A bot is scraping an image to make AI content. And a family of four are walking in the middle distance of a vast seaside landscape, flanked by two trees, one in autumnal orange. Sheep dot the meadow and above an azufre sea, the blue sky has great streams of cloud streaked towards the horizon.
A digital bot is scraping an image to make AI content. And also, a family of four sit in the middle distance of a meadow, close to a stream on which a duck and ducklings paddle. The family are flanked by two towering trees with budding leaves. Beyond a vast green slope, towers into the blue sky.
Soulscapes at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Preview photo by Kimathi Donkor, 2024
Soulscapes at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Installation photo by Kimathi Donkor, 2024
Installation photo of the On Episode Seven billboard at Holland Park Roundabout, London. Photo, Kimathi Donkor, 2023
Installation view of Kimathi Donkor: Helix/Idyl at Niru Ratnam Gallery, 2023. Photo by K. Donkor
Installation photograph of Play, Rest, Work at University College London Hospital, 2022. Photo by Kimathi Donkor
Installation photograph of Play, Rest, Work at University College London Hospital, 2022. Photo by Kimathi Donkor
Installation photograph of idyls: Kimathi Donkor at DKUK, 2021
Installation photograph of idyls: Kimathi Donkor at DKUK (b). Photo by K. Donkor
Paintings on a gallery wall, receding sharply. Closest painting is


For more about these artworks:

Interview with Bolanle Tajudeen Kimathi Donkor, Mastering a Painting Practice that Comes Directly From the Heart

Soulscapes exhibition catalogue

Standing Ground exhibition catalogue

Audio interview with Daniel Kelly Idyl’s at DKUK