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 First nations are indigenous settlers or bands. First Nations, first nations, or first peoples may also refer to: Indigenous groups *List of Indigenous peoples *First Nations in Canada, Indigenous peoples of Canada who are neither Inuit nor Mé ...

references to classical Greek and nautical elements. He is also a wooden boat builder.

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 Chief Mungo Martin or ''Nakapenkem'' (lit. ''Potlatch chief "ten times over"''), ''Datsa'' (lit. ''"grandfather"''), was an important figure in Northwest Coast style art, specifically that of the Kwakwaka'wakw Aboriginal people who live in the ...

and Tony Hunt and began carving. He dropped out of school at the age of 14. 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 where they currently stand In 1971, at a ceremony to inaugurate the Pacific Rim Park, then Federal Parks Minister

Jean Chretien Jean may refer to: People * Jean (female given name) * Jean (male given name) * Jean (surname) Fictional characters * Jean Grey, a Marvel Comics character * Jean Valjean, fictional character in novel ''Les Misérables'' and its adaptations * Jean ...

presented Princess Anne with a small wooden abstract carving the Parks Board commissioned from Godfrey. In 1984, Godfrey carved ''Weeping Cedar Woman'' to protest the logging of the ancient trees of Clay'quot Sound. The 18 foot tall protest piece stayed on Strawberry Island for 17 years and is currently in Tofino, British Columbia. Godfrey has produced a large body of work including paintings, sculptures and sailing vessels. Godfrey is the older brother of

Nature's Path Nature's Path Foods, commonly known as Nature's Path, is a Canadian privately held, family-owned producer of certified organic foods. Originally known for its breakfast cereals, it now has a portfolio of more than 150 products. Founded in 1985 by ...

Foods founder

Arran Stephens Arran Blackburn Stephens (born 1944) is a Canadian entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. He is co-founder of Nature's Path, a leading manufacturer of organic foods. He is regarded as a pioneer in the food industry and has received numerous a ...

Books and media

Godfrey and his art have appeared in several books, magazines, newspapers, and blogs.

Lloyd Kahn Lloyd Kahn (born April 28, 1935) is an American publisher, editor, author, photographer, carpenter, and self-taught architect. He is the founding editor-in-chief of Shelter Publications, Inc., and is the former Shelter editor of the ''Whole Earth ...

credits Godfrey as the inspiration for his popular book ''Builders of the Pacific Coast'' by Shelter Publications. 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. ''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.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Stephens, Godfrey 1939 births Living people Canadian sculptors Canadian male sculptors 20th-century Canadian painters Canadian male painters Artists from British Columbia People from Duncan, British Columbia 20th-century Canadian sculptors 20th-century Canadian male artists