Godfrey Stephens

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.[1] He is also a wooden boat builder.[2]

Godfrey Stephens
Born
Godfrey Rupert Cripps Stephens

(1939-10-28) 28 October 1939
Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
NationalityCanadian
EducationSelf-taught
Known for

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.[3] He dropped out of school at the age of 14.[4] Mostly self-taught, living on his boats, Godfrey has painted and sculpted his whole life with no other occupation [5] In 1973, the 24 foot tall abstract cedar columns were inaugurated at Victoria's Times Colonist Press buildings[6] where they currently stand [7][8] 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.[9] In 1984, Godfrey carved the Weeping Cedar Woman to protest the logging of the ancient trees of Clay'quot Sound.[10] The 18 foot tall protest piece stayed on Strawberry Island for 17 years and is currently in Tofino, British Columbia.[11] Godfrey has produced a large body of work including paintings, sculptures and sailing vessels.[12] 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,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19] magazines,[20][21][22] newspapers,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] and blogs.[32][33] Lloyd Kahn credits Godfrey as the inspiration for his popular book "Builders of the Pacific Coast" by Shelter Publications.[34] 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.[35] "Wood Storms, Wild Canvas: The Art of Godfrey Stephens" won a Gold Medal for regional non-fiction in the 2015 19th Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards also known as the IPPY Awards.[36]

References
  1. Stephens, Gurdeep (October 2014). Wood Storms, Wild Canvas: The Art of Godfrey Stephens. Victoria Canada: D&I Enterprises Inc. ISBN 978-0-9938521-0-7.
  2. Kahn, Lloyd (2014). Tiny Homes on the Move. California: Shelter Publications. pp. 174–179. ISBN 978-0-936070-62-9.
  3. Kahn, Lloyd (2008). Builders of the Pacific Coast. California: Shelter Publications. pp. 100–109. ISBN 978-0-936070-43-8.
  4. Amos, Robert (November 19, 2000). "Folk artist a child at heart". Islander.
  5. "Wood Storms Wild Canvas", Stephens 2014
  6. Times Colonist Newspaper Feb 22, 1973 Daily columnist
  7. Times Colonist articles
  8. Stephens, Gurdeep (2014). Wood Storm Wild Canvas. D and I Enterprises.
  9. Trebett, Margaret (February 1971). "Teepee Workshop Produces A Gift for Royalty". Times Colonist Newspaper.
  10. "Tofitians Seeking Funds to Return Weeping Cedar Woman to Tofino". westerlynews.ca. Archived from the original on 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
  11. Morrow, Shayne. "Two major artworks continue to inspire, 30 years after Meares Island Protest". Ha-Shilth-Sa. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  12. Stephens, Gurdeep (2014). Wood Storms Wild Canvas. D & I Enterprises.
  13. Rubin, Daniel Stone (May 22, 2002). Salt on the wind. Markham, Ontario: Fitzhenry & Whiteside. ISBN 092066346X.
  14. Struthers, Andrew (August 2004). The Last Voyage of the Loch Ryan. Vancouver: New Star Books. pp. 65–66, 105, 114, 160, 170, 183–184. ISBN 1-55420-008-3.
  15. Mason, Adrienne (2012). Long Beach Wild. Vancouver, Canada: Greystone Books. pp. 158, 160, 181. ISBN 978-1-55365-344-8.
  16. Kahn, LLoyd (2004). Home Work Handbuilt Shelter. California: Shelter Publications. p. 232. ISBN 978-0-936070-33-9.
  17. Kahn, Lloyd (2014). Tiny Homes on the Move. California: Shelter Publications. pp. 174–179. ISBN 978-0-936070-62-9.
  18. Kahn, Lloyd (2008). Builders of the Pacific Coast. California: Shelter Publications. pp. 100–109. ISBN 978-0-936070-43-8.
  19. Stephens, Gurdeep (2014). Wood Storms Wild Canvas. Victoria: D & I Enterprises.
  20. "WEST GERMANY Die Gammler". Time Magazine. August 5, 1966.
  21. "Princess Anne answers Tony Frost's questions in her room". Royalty Monthly. 1987.
  22. Western Living Magazine, April 2008 p 43
  23. Smith, Erith (February 22, 1973). "Massive Columns Grace Newspaper Lobby". Times Colonist.
  24. Amos, Robert (November 19, 2000). "Folk artist a child at heart". Islander.
  25. Chadwick, Vivienne (1971). "He Travels Far, Light Sculptor seeks studio". Victoria Daily.
  26. Dedyna, Katherine (November 22, 2008). "Victoria artist inspired author". Times Colonist. pp. E1–E2.
  27. Fitzpatrick, Donna; Hood, Phil (9 February 1977). "Arts Festival '77". The Westcoaster. p. 8.
  28. Times Colonist
  29. Amos, Robert. Times Colonist http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=4ad97093-79cd-4cb4-9da9-8677a63c9b5a&sponsor=. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. Haiker, Bill (February 10, 1973). Victoria Times. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. "Carving Weather". Sooke News Mirror. April 26, 1995. p. 3.
  32. Bailey, Andrew. "Tofitians seeking funds to return Weeping Cedar Woman to Tofino". Westerly News. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved Jan 24, 2014.
  33. Kahn, Lloyd. "Godfrey Stephens' New 12' Pelican Sailboat". Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-05-24.
  34. page Lloyd Kahn's book Builders of the Pacific Coast, introduction
  35. Stephens, Gurdeep (2014). Wood Storms Wild Canvas. D & I Enterprises.
  36. "2015 Independent Publisher Book Awards Regional & Ebook Results". Independent Publisher. Jenkins Group. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
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