Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Art & Soul at the Telfair


Artist Richard Mayhew traces his fascination with painting landscapes to his African-American and Native American heritage.
"The connection to the land is very important for both cultures," he explained. "There's a sensitivity and concern for nature. My paintings are based on the spiritual feeling in nature."
"Landscape of the Spirit: Paintings by Richard Mayhew," on display at the Telfair's Jepson Center for the Arts through Jan. 4, showcases 14 original paintings by this contemporary color master. The works, which are on loan from Mason Murer Fine Art in Atlanta, range from 1983 to the present and underscore Mayhew's lifelong passion for nature.
"He takes the landscape as a loose inspiration," said Holly Koons McCullough, curator of fine arts and exhibitions at the Telfair Museum of Art. "He sees landscapes more as spiritual and emotional manifestations, rather than actual places."
Emphasis on color
In January, Telfair board member and African-American art collector Walter O. Evans suggested that the Telfair feature an exhibit of Mayhew's work and invite the artist to Savannah as a speaker for the Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Lecture Series. The series is organized by Friends of African American Arts, a volunteer organization devoted to promoting diversity at the Telfair.

No comments: