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Idyls

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

Works from the series have been shown in exhibitions including ‘
Soulscapes’ at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in 2024, ‘Untitled: Art on the Conditions of Our Time’ at Kettles Yard, Cambridge in 2022, the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy in 2021, ‘Idyls’ at DKUK, London in 2021-22, ‘Play, Rest, Work’ at University College London Hospital in 2022 and ‘Helix/Idyll’ at Niru Ratnam Gallery in 2023. In 2023 an oversize print of ‘On Episode Seven’ was intermittently displayed throughout the year on a hoarding 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)
Mũmbis 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)
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


For more about these artworks:

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

Audio interview with Daniel Kelly
Idyl’s at DKUK