Mayne’s body of work combines social criticism and childhood memories with contemporary influences from fashion, design and fine arts. His portraits on coloured, unstretched canvas and cardboard are characterised by a mix of oil pastel, chalk, acrylic and implementations of recycled fabrics and African Wax prints. Stating that “detailing the face reduces his message”, Mayne eliminates the facial features of his protagonists.

Raphael Adjetey Adjei Mayne lives and works near Cologne, Germany. He studied at the Ghanatta College of Art and Design, Ghana. Mayne recently gained international media attention with his portraits of Amanda Gorman and Kamala Harris. Gorman’s portrait was purchased by women’s rights and LGBT+ activist Amar Singh and donated to the Harvard University Museum since, “This work must be in an institution. It is a celebration of women, a celebration of Black women, a celebration of hope.”

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