Kimathi Donkor is an internationally recognised and celebrated contemporary artist whose work is diverse in terms of subject, media and technique. The Notebook series currently on show in Brixton’s Tate Library is part of Black History Month and celebrates young women in South London. Described as “a snapshot of resourceful, independent Black women going about their everyday business”, it consists of a series of cool, elegant images reduced to essentials, which manage to combine repose and activity.
Many portraits show women at work on laptops or smart phones and offer an interesting match with library users themselves. His very disciplined technique based on perfectly judged lines and spare use of ink and watercolour, put black women clearly at the centre of these works. Go and see them if you can.
The show is free and runs until 7 November in the Tate Library, Brixton Oval, SW2 1JQ. Open 11am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm on Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
