Person

Godwin, Ted, 1933-

Visual artist Ted Godwin was born in Calgary, Alberta in 1933. He attended the Southern Institute of Technology and Art, 1951-1955, and studies with Barnett Newman, John Ferren, and Jules Olitski at the Emma Lake Artists Workshop, 1959-1965. Godwin was employed as a commercial artist by private companies in both Alberta and Saskatchewan before joining the School of Art at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus in 1964. During this time in Regina, he became part of a group of young artists who were producing significant and exciting art. When their works were exhibited together at the National Art Gallery in 1961 they became known as the "Regina Five". The members of the group, including Ken Lochhead, Art McKay, Ron Bloore, Godwin and Doug Morton, eventually went their separate ways, but their early association was vital to the development of their art and to Prairie Art. Ted Godwin remained at what became the Visual Arts Department at the University of Regina for the rest of his teaching career. Following the "Regina Five" era, he became known for his large "Tartan" paintings. A heart condition (which eventually forced him to retire in 1985) produced the "Dying Orchids" series in 1974. From the mid-1970's to the present, Godwin has produced several series of large and vivid landscape paintings, including "The Lower Bow" series. His work has appeared in solo and group exhibitions at public and private galleries across Canada, and is represented in the collections of several major institutions. Ted Godwin resides in Calgary. He married Phyllis Wanda Goota (also an artist) in 1956, and has two daughters, Teddi Ruth Driediger and Tammi Lynn Shanahan.