Celebrated African and Native American artist Richard Mayhew passed in late September 2024 at 100 years old. Mayhew was known for his colourful paintings of Mindscapes, a concept he coined to describe a person’s internal world, including their emotions and mental state. Aside from his Mindscapes, Mayhew had spent his life as a staunch Black rights activist, which includes being part of Spiral, a collective of African-American artists that was formed during the height of the civil rights movement. The collective’s aim was to give African American artists the space to respond to America’s changing political and cultural landscape.
In this vein, Mayhew’s Mindscapes, which often depict serene sights such as sunset, have helped to empower marginalized communities by stating that no matter how hostile the world gets, they will still be able to find strength in their beautiful Mindscapes. In fact, to this very day, Mayhew’s paintings continue to give people some much needed mental reprieve, especially for People of Colour (POC) who will need to rise again and fight for another day. This is why Richard Mayhew’s Mindscapes are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Reduced Inequalities and Good Health And Well-Being.
In an interview with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), Mayhew shared that his Mindscapes were ultimately landscapes because of his African and Native American heritage. “Their blood is in the soil of the United States,” he said. This only goes to further prove the strong ties between his own personal identity as a person of colour and his Mindscapes. There is also a certain poetry in how his Mindscapes have been largely made up of colours instead of shapes or lines. It is as if these Mindscapes, that have been created because of Mayhew’s reflections into his identity as a person of colour, have been brought to life by Mayhew’s embrace of people’s different colours.
Richard Mayhew's life and work embody a profound celebration of inner strength and beauty, especially for marginalized communities. Through his vibrant Mindscapes, he offered a refuge for reflection and healing, reminding audiences of the power of their internal worlds in the face of external adversity. His unique ability to blend his African and Native American heritage with artistic expression not only enriched the art world but also contributed to larger conversations about identity, resilience and equality. As the world remembers Mayhew, his legacy as both an artist and activist continues to inspire, fostering a deeper appreciation of humanity’s capacity for beauty, strength and unity in diversity.
Find out more about Richard Mayhew on his ACA Galleries or Artnet pages.