Born in 1983 in Accra, Ghana, Raphael “Afutumix” Adjetey Adjei Mayne develops a mixed-media practice grounded in the use of finely woven fabrics that he collects and integrates into his compositions. Upon these sewn surfaces, he works with acrylic paint, layering patterns, colors, and details to create images articulated in multiple strata. His works span a broad iconographic register, from floral motifs to depictions of young adults and children, often portrayed in vibrant, contrasting garments set against bright monochrome backgrounds. His practice lies at the intersection of personal memory and contemporary social concerns.
His exhibition WE US I, presented in Finland, marks an important milestone, articulating a reflection focused on intimate bonds, memory, and attention to what remains essential in a world dominated by abundance and consumption. The figures he depicts, often anonymous and without distinct facial features, lend his compositions a universal dimension. While his works frequently show subjects suspended within the pictorial space, recent explorations situate them within interior, often domestic, environments, opening new narrative pathways.
Mayne lives and works in Cologne, Germany. His interest in textiles and clothing originates in a family context shaped by these craft traditions. A graduate of the Ghanatta College of Art and Design in 2004, he has since participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions across North America and Europe.