Richard Bolingbroke led an incredible life. As a young man, his activism took him from London’s Gay Liberation Front to ashrams in India and Oregon. On his journeys, he fostered lifelong bonds with people across the globe and found his spiritual path.
After his HIV diagnosis, Richard pursued a career as an artist. He produced a wide-ranging portfolio of touching pieces across media and techniques, with Art giving him an outlet to navigate life during an uncertain time.
“I continue down that path,” he wrote in an artist’s statement, “bringing in collage alongside the drawing, eager to see where this will lead.”
Richard passed away on December 28, 2024. He was 72. His legacy of activism and impact lives on. A selection of Richard’s touching pieces will be auctioned on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, at Flagging in the Park’s fundraiser to support the National AIDS Memorial. Ahead of Flagging in the Park, Richard’s husband, Steven Gaynes, shared a few thoughts about Richard’s artwork and legacy.
Steven Gaynes on Richard’s Art and Legacy
1. What makes Richard's art meaningful to you?
Richard became a full-time artist when he got his HIV diagnosis. He had a studio at Hunters Point and became a well-known Bay Area artist. He was deeply spiritual and got a lot of his inspiration from nature, he did love the AIDS Memorial Grove and did several collages on wooden board at the Grove inspired.
2. How would you describe Richard to someone who did not get the chance to meet him?
Richard was a very artsy member of our community and he took his artwork very seriously and was the glue that held the relationships, chosen family, arts community, and the leather community together.
3. Why do you think it's important for Richard's art to go towards supporting organizations like the National AIDS Memorial?
Richard's artwork was his lasting legacy, and to own a piece of his work is to have something very special. He put in his will that I was to be very generous with his artwork and support the nonprofit museums and galleries that show his art.
Flagging in the Park
Thank you to Steven Gaynes and Flagging in the Park for allowing Richard’s incredible artwork to continue impacting lives through the National AIDS Memorial. Learn more about Flagging in the Park and the items others are auctioning off to support our mission and programs:
