Circle Art Auction 2017, Lot 49 Jimnah Kimani

Jimnah Kimani (Kenyan, born 1974)
Expressions, 2004-2005
Signed ‘Jimnah Kimani’ (lower right)
Acrylic on canvas
61.5 x 46 cm

Ksh 110,000-170,000
(US$ 1,000-1,600)
Bought in

Provenance: private collection

Jimnah Kimani is a celebrated Kenyan artist best known for his distinctive paintings depicting scenes of daily life, using thick strokes, unusual perspectives and warm, bright colours. This darkly atmospheric painting is a remarkable, expressive piece from early in Kimani’s career.

Kimani graduated with a certificate in Fine Arts from the Creative Art Centre, Nairobi, and began painting professionally. He is best known for his series of site-specific paintings in the many Java Coffee Houses in Nairobi. His work has been exhibited in numerous exhibitions locally and abroad including in New York. In 2000 he won the ‘Most Promising Young Artist’ award in Nairobi.