ARTS AND CULTURE
Art
THAT breathes Emotion
BY BYRON LUKAS
DURBAN ARTIST VANESSA MAYHEW TRANSFORMS NATURE AND EMOTION INTO VIBRANT, SOULFUL PIECES INSPIRED BY THE RHYTHM OF SOUTH AFRICA.
If you paddle out into the warm Indian Ocean at sunrise near Durban, you might spot Vanessa Mayhew. She won’ t be wearing a beret or a paint-splattered smock, but she’ ll be in her element, quietly absorbing the world before she puts it on canvas.
Her art is rooted in African soil, full of emotion, and frequently bursts into bold, beautiful expression.
THE ART OF ORGANISED CHAOS
Step into her home studio and you’ ll find a colourful sort of order.“ The mess!” she laughs.“ When I’ m busy or have a show coming up, my home is literally overrun with art.” Her kitchen doubles as a gallery, complete with a painting permanently on the easel.“ It’ s a piece I’ ll be living with for a while,” she says. Art isn’ t confined to a space – it’ s part of her every moment, even her coffee breaks.
Despite the creative chaos, each brushstroke and splash of colour is intentional. Vanessa’ s process is calming, often accompanied by music or a podcast.“ I love podcasts,” she says.“ It’ s the perfect listening time while painting.”
HER ETERNAL MUSE
KwaZulu-Natal forms the backdrop to Vanessa’ s creative world.“ Nature inspires me,” she says.“ I can be down in Durban, paddling on the sea at 6am, watching the sun rise over the ocean, sometimes with dolphins, and 40 minutes later be surrounded by bird sounds at Inanda Dam.”
For her, the outdoors isn’ t just scenery – it’ s therapy.“ I often cry over the beauty of a sunrise,”
34 INBOUND SA / DECEMBER 2025