KEITH MALLETT
For Keith Mallett painting is a spiritual journey. It is a journey that started in childhood and continues to this day. Keith has worked as a painter, etching artist and ceramist. His subject matter ranges from still lifes to abstracts. In recent years he has devoted his talents to themes that portray the beauty and strength of the African American experience.
Born in Pennsylvania in 1948, Keith studied painting at the Art Students’ League and Hunter College in New York City and LA Valley College in Los Angeles. His work has been exhibited throughout the world and is in corporate and private collections. A variety of television shows and movies have featured Keith’s artwork. These include “Barbershop2”, Showtime’s series “Soul Food”, Disney’s “The Famous Jett Jackson”, TNT’s “Second String” and Woody Allen’s movies “Mighty Aphrodite” and “Celebrity”. His paintings grace the covers of several books including “Do Unto Others” by Kristin Lattany published by Random House, and “Sisterfire”, a collection of poems by Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, and Terry McMillan, published by Harper Collins.
His paintings Tree of Life and From Strong Roots were selected for the book Chicken Soup for the African American Soul. He was honored with a commission to paint the official limited edition print commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s historic breakthrough into major league baseball. His limited edition collectibles have been published by The Franklin Mint and United Treasures. He has also enjoyed considerable success with numerous sold-out limited editions.
“It is my desire through my artwork to depict the positive aspects of the African American experience. If I can show but one child the strength and beauty of her past or the bright hope of his future then I feel I have accomplished my goal.”
Keith recently designed the cover for the 1960 Lunch Counter Sit-ins and 1961 Freedom Riders stamps of the 2005 Milestones in the Civil Rights Movement set.