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‘Daddy, I want to be a black artist’ by Kimathi Donkor 24 September – 24 November 2013 Launch event 24 September 2013, 6-8:30pm Peckham Space, 89 Peckham High Street, SE15 5RS

Peckham Space presents ‘Daddy, I want to be a black artist’, an exhibition of new artwork by painter Kimathi Donkor, which reflects on themes arising from his engagement with teenage black residents of South London as they discovered the work of black British artists in the national collection at .

There are 73,000 artworks in Tate’s collection, with about 15 of the 3,500 artists having both a black and a British identity – including Chris Ofili, Sonia Boyce, Donald Rodney, Frank Bowling and current Turner- Prize nominee, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. For this exhibition, Donkor has created a new series of paintings that embody the artist’s concerns with identity, aesthetics, agency and representation.

The new paintings will be on display at Peckham Space and, alongside them, visitors will be invited to participate in an art museum-style ‘learning zone’ where books, computers, resources and materials will explore the work and representation of black British artists within the UK’s most prominent modern art institution – as well as the experiences of the young people engaged in the project. By offering this opportunity to learn more about these important works, it is hoped that they can be celebrated and their place in the national heritage reconsidered.

The starting point for this commission was a series of workshops proposed by Kimathi Donkor for Leaders of Tomorrow, a leadership and enrichment programme for black teenagers of African and African-Caribbean heritage in Southwark. With the support of Peckham Space, the artist led the group on a series of after-hours and behind-the-scenes visits to exhibitions at Tate Britain and Tate Modern, as well as to the Tate’s conservation studio. For many, these sessions marked their first visit to the museum, as well as the first time they had been asked to critically consider and research works of art by prominent black British artists. Following the visits, the young people discussed, debated and wrote about the relationships between themselves, the artworks, the museum and Britain’s black communities. Donkor has drawn out narratives, themes and imagery from this process in order to create his paintings and the learning zone for the exhibition.

The exhibition’s wry title, ‘Daddy, I want to be a black artist’, can be seen as a playful call to action for young people to find inspiration in the works of black British artists and become the artists of tomorrow. At the same time it suggests a sense of trepidation and intrigue about the relationship between the politics of race and perceptions of exclusion and mystique in the contemporary art world.

Deji ljishakin, a member of Leaders of Tomorrow who has worked with Donkor on the project, described his feelings after visiting Tate Britian’s No Woman No Cry by Chris Ofili: “Chris Ofili's style of artwork is also simply amazing as numerous special effects are added to the piece of work that are visually beautiful but seem to have philosophical importance. For example, the black hearts suggest forgiveness of Stephen Lawrence's killers but also look very stylish.”

Kimathi Donkor’s meticulously crafted compositions draw on antique and global traditions of portraiture and history painting to represent dramatic modern themes. His work can be seen as both a critique and a celebration of canons of Western and global art, and the historical narratives they represent.

Kimathi Donkor said: “The idea of a ‘black artist’ still generates controversy, perhaps even fear, in the contemporary British art world, as it implies that all artists and viewers are complicit in a global politics of identity. It probably is helpful if young people from all backgrounds become conscious of such issues.”

Ends

Free public events will take place during the exhibition, including the artist’s talk at Chelsea College of Art and Design on 2 October 2013, 5:30-7pm. Please call 020 7358 9645 or email [email protected] for more information and booking details.

For further information and press enquiries please contact 020 7358 9645 or email [email protected]

Notes for Editors Kimathi Donnkor, born in Bournemouth, in 1965, is a British artist living and working in London. His large, figurative oil paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries internationally and across the UK. Donkor’s meticulously crafted compositions draw on antique traditions of portraiture and history painting to represent dramatic modern themes – with subjects ranging from urban conflict in London to the adventures of Ghana’s anti-colonial heroine, Yaa Asantewaa. His sitters are often friends, family or colleagues, which he believes, imparts a degree of intimacy to these politically charged works. Group exhibitions include: What's Going On at the Usher Gallery (Lincoln, 2013-2015); Seven things to do in an emergency at the British school at Rome (Italy, 2011) and The 29th São Paulo Biennial (Brazil, 2010). Solo exhibitions include: Queens of the Undead at Iniva, Rivington Place (London, 2012), Hawkins & Co at the Market Theatre Gallery, (2008, ) Fall/Uprising at the Bettie Morton Gallery, (London, 2005) Caribbean Passion: Haiti 1804 at the Art Exchange Gallery, (, 2005). Kimathi Donkor has also accepted commissions to curate group exhibitions of work by fellow artists – including: Yinka Shonibare MBE, Ngosi Onwurah and Ablade Glover (Happening to Be, London, 2012); and Keith Piper, Barbara Walker and Raimi Gbadamosi (Hawkins & Co, , 2008). http://www.kimathidonkor.net Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) is a leadership, enrichment and mentoring programme designed to raise the academic achievements of children and young people, particularly those of African and Caribbean heritage by empowering them with unbridled opportunities. Through a combination of discipline, clear parameters and tough love, together with a passionate commitment and a close-knit family atmosphere, they seek in our weekly after school sessions to help young people grow in confidence, maturity, learn invaluable life skills, improve their school performance and compete effectively in the global market place. LOT London was established by Vallin Miller in 2002 and aims to eradicate the stereotypes that so often define our young people. We confound, not conform to stereotypes. We are “anti MTV Base”, “anti-ghetto grammar” and other accoutrements of “Bling” culture. http://www.lotlondon.org.uk Peckham Space is an art venue which opened in June 2010 which commissions contemporary artwork in partnership with local community groups. Located on Peckham Square, London SE15 and part of Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, it seeks to increase access to cultural and educational activity and to encourage progression routes for young people into creative higher education. Peckham Space is funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), Southwark Council and Arts Council England. The Director Emily Druiff has previously worked as an independent curator with particular interest in social practice art that engages in the public realm. www.peckhamspace.com Since 1898, Camberwell College of Arts has had an international reputation for educating artists, designers and conservators to the highest levels, many of whom have become acclaimed practitioners including Cathy de Monchaux, Mike Leigh, Howard Hodgkin, Maggi Hambling, Syd Barrett (founder member of Pink Floyd), Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, John Keane, Ewan Henderson, Humphrey Lyttleton, Gillian Ayres, Sarah Raphael and Tim Roth. Camberwell College is part of University of the Arts London. Operating at the heart of the world’s creative capital, University of the Arts London is a vibrant international centre for innovative teaching and research in arts, design, fashion, communication and the performing arts. The University is made up of six Colleges: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, Chelsea College of Art and Design, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Art.

Listings information ‘Daddy, I want to be a black artist’ by Kimathi Donkor Peckham Space, Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, 89 Peckham High Street, London SE15 5RS 24 September – 24 November 2013, Launch event 24 September 2013, 6 – 8:30pm For full programme information visit www.peckhamspace.com or contact 020 7358 9645, [email protected] Peckham Space opening times Wednesday – Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday – Sunday 11am-5pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Transport: Buses: 343 from London Bridge, 78 from Liverpool Street/Aldgate, 12 or 171 from Elephant & Castle, 36 or 436 from Victoria/Oval Rail: Peckham Rye and Queens Road direct from London Bridge Overground: Peckham Rye and Queens Road direct from Dalston Junction and Clapham Junction