coastweek.com

Two Important New Works
From Peterson Kamwathi

AN OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A
PETERSON KAMWATHI WORK

SPECIAL REPORT BY ART CORRESPONDENT ED CROSS IN LONDON

Coastweek -- These are two important works from our current show that I thought deserved a special mention - donkey associations with Christmas not withstanding.

These prints are the first in a new and emerging body of work from the acclaimed Kenyan artist, Peterson Kamwathi, which will use the donkey as its central motif.

Kamwathi produced a series of charcoal drawings of donkeys when visiting the island of Lamu two years ago, ultimately unsatisfied with these, he moved on to create prints inspired by the drawings.

Whilst his initial intention was to create work that had nothing to do with Kenya's socio-political scene almost as therapeutic relief from his dark Sitting Allowance Installation completed this year;

Coastweek -- 'Diary Of All Things Stolen' [I]

Kamwathi found events such as the Kenyan Maize scandal and the accelerated destruction of the Mau forest clamoured to find a place in these seemingly tranquil compositions.

And a new body of work has been born, of which these prints are the first works.

Names that are just discernible in the background, were picked at random from a National paper of the day fixing the work in time, the animal, no longer merely a donkey but now a symbol of his fellow countrymen, abused by its politicians.

This print alludes to the Mau Forest destruction - the same forest that was used as sanctuary and inspiration in Kenya's independence struggle now being sold off as bags of charcoal, threatening the country's water supplies.

Kamwathi's work stands for integrity.

In the spirit of this he produces a maximum of two copies of any print he creates.

Coastweek -- 'Diary Of All Things Stolen' [II] - The woodcut print above is inspired by the Maize scandal and the state of Kenyan politics at the time the work was created in mid 2009.

The works are created using the "reduction" print process were the plate is worked on through the print process rendering it impossible to produce any further prints once the process is complete.

Kamwathi's work is rare and increasingly sought after - we have these two (60 x 57cm) wood cut prints for sale - beautifully framed at £1,500 each.

Further information about Peterson Kamwathi's work is available on our website

www.edcrossfineart.com

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