Godfrey Stephens Explained

Godfrey Stephens
Birth Name:Godfrey Rupert Cripps Stephens
Birth Date:28 October 1939
Birth Place:Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
Training:Self-taught

Godfrey Rupert Cripps Stephens (born 28 October 1939) is a Canadian artist, best known for his protest sculpture Weeping Cedar Woman and large abstract wooden columns. His painting and sculpting style combines West Coast iconography from First Nations references to classical Greek and nautical elements. He is also a wooden boat builder.[1]

Life and work

Godfrey Stephens was born in Duncan, British Columbia. As a boy, he began an influential relationship with First Nations carver Chief Mungo Martin and Tony Hunt and began carving.[2] He dropped out of school at the age of 14.[3] Mostly self-taught, living on his boats, Godfrey has painted and sculpted his whole life with no other occupation In 1973, the 24 foot tall abstract cedar columns were inaugurated at Victoria's Times Colonist Press buildings[4] where they currently stand [5] [6] In 1971, at a ceremony to inaugurate the Pacific Rim Park, then Federal Parks Minister Jean Chretien presented Princess Anne with a small wooden abstract carving the Parks Board commissioned from Godfrey.[7] In 1984, Godfrey carved Weeping Cedar Woman to protest the logging of the ancient trees of Clay'quot Sound.[8] The 18 foot tall protest piece stayed on Strawberry Island for 17 years and is currently in Tofino, British Columbia.[9] Godfrey has produced a large body of work including paintings, sculptures and sailing vessels. Godfrey is the older brother of Nature's Path Foods founder Arran Stephens.

Books and media

Godfrey and his art have appeared in several books,[10] [11] [12] [13] [1] [2] [14] magazines,[15] [16] [17] newspapers,[18] [3] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] and blogs.[25] [26] Lloyd Kahn credits Godfrey as the inspiration for his popular book Builders of the Pacific Coast by Shelter Publications.[27] The book Wood Storms, Wild Canvas: The Art of Godfrey Stephens by Gurdeep Stephens focuses exclusively on highlights of Godfrey's art, with photos of over 100 carvings, paintings and sailing vessels.[14] Wood Storms, Wild Canvas won a Gold Medal for regional non-fiction in the 2015 19th Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards also known as the IPPY Awards.[28]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Kahn, Lloyd. Tiny Homes on the Move. 2014. Shelter Publications. California. 978-0-936070-62-9. 174–179.
  2. Book: Kahn, Lloyd. Builders of the Pacific Coast. 2008. Shelter Publications. California. 978-0-936070-43-8. 100–109.
  3. News: Amos. Robert. Folk artist a child at heart. Islander. 19 November 2000.
  4. Times Colonist. 22 February 1973 Daily columnist
  5. Times Colonist articles
  6. Book: Stephens, Gurdeep. Wood Storm Wild Canvas. 2014. D and I Enterprises.
  7. News: Trebett. Margaret. Teepee Workshop Produces A Gift for Royalty. Times Colonist . February 1971.
  8. Web site: Tofitians Seeking Funds to Return Weeping Cedar Woman to Tofino . westerlynews.ca . 24 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140719074957/http://www.westerlynews.ca/local-news/tofitians-seeking-funds-to-return-weeping-cedar-woman-to-tofino-1.800665 . 19 July 2014 . dead.
  9. Web site: Morrow. Shayne. Two major artworks continue to inspire, 30 years after Meares Island Protest. 25 April 2014. Ha-Shilth-Sa. 25 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150334/http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2014-04-25/two-major-artworks-continue-inspire-30-years-after-meares-island-protest. 14 July 2014. live.
  10. Book: Rubin. Daniel Stone. Salt on the Wind. 22 May 2002. Fitzhenry & Whiteside. Markham, Ontario. 092066346X.
  11. Book: Struthers, Andrew. The Last Voyage of the Loch Ryan. August 2004. New Star Books. Vancouver. 1-55420-008-3. 65–66,105,114,160,170,183–184.
  12. Book: Mason, Adrienne. Long Beach Wild. 2012. Greystone Books. Vancouver, Canada. 978-1-55365-344-8. 158, 160, 181.
  13. Book: Kahn, LLoyd. Home Work Handbuilt Shelter. 2004. Shelter Publications. California. 978-0-936070-33-9. 232. registration.
  14. Book: Stephens, Gurdeep. Wood Storms, Wild Canvas: The Art of Godfrey Stephens. 2014. D & I Enterprises. Victoria. 978-0-9938521-0-7.
  15. News: West Germany: Die Gammler. Time. 5 August 1966.
  16. News: Princess Anne answers Tony Frost's questions in her room. Royalty Monthly. 1987.
  17. Western Living Magazine, April 2008 p 43
  18. News: Smith. Erith. Massive Columns Grace Newspaper Lobby. Times Colonist. 22 February 1973.
  19. News: Chadwick. Vivienne. He Travels Far, Light Sculptor seeks studio. Victoria Daily. 1971.
  20. News: Dedyna. Katherine. Victoria artist inspired author. Times Colonist. 22 November 2008. E1–E2.
  21. News: Fitzpatrick. Donna. Arts Festival '77. The Westcoaster. 9 February 1977. Hood. Phil. 8.
  22. Web site: Amos. Robert . 6 February 2007 . Artist recalls colourful past . Times Colonist . https://archive.today/20140615103329/http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=4ad97093-79cd-4cb4-9da9-8677a63c9b5a&sponsor=#selection-155.28-159.16 . 15 June 2014.
  23. News: Haiker. Bill. Victoria Times. 10 February 1973.
  24. News: Carving Weather. Sooke News Mirror. 26 April 1995. 3.
  25. Web site: Bailey. Andrew. Tofitians seeking funds to return Weeping Cedar Woman to Tofino. Westerly News. 24 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140306063406/http://www.westerlynews.ca/local-news/tofitians-seeking-funds-to-return-weeping-cedar-woman-to-tofino-1.800665. 6 March 2014. dead.
  26. Web site: Kahn. Lloyd. Godfrey Stephens' New 12' Pelican Sailboat. 21 April 2012. 24 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714233148/http://lloydkahn-ongoing.blogspot.ca/2012/04/godfrey-stephens-new-12-pelican.html. 14 July 2014. live.
  27. page Lloyd Kahn's book Builders of the Pacific Coast, introduction
  28. Web site: 2015 Independent Publisher Book Awards Regional & Ebook Results. Independent Publisher. Jenkins Group. 27 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150627025344/http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=1937. 27 June 2015. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Godfrey Stephens".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.