Overview

Born Sydney, Australia

Lives & Works Central Coast (Kuring-gai)

 

“Through the use of a wonderfully subdued colour palette and clever composition with empty voids, Godwin is able to produce entrancing images that are not overloaded with weighty meaning but highlight the evocative pleasures and joy of a wistful paint-loaded brush.

 

Languid, flowing lines sweep through his pictures, delineating the forms of a chair, couch or interior screen. What may seem mundane at first thought is transformed into a vital living space. The way Godwin works his spatial relationships in his compositions allows for a transformative effect on these somewhat representational rooms and still-lifes which almost straddle abstraction.

 

In his work there is a slow, systematic approach of the painter’s craft, which utilises the element of pattern, creating fascinating still-lifes that look alive. Familiar motifs become objects of discovery and reinvention, and are well used by the artist. Oceanic artefacts, shells, fabric and sculpture, from his own collection, are paired with birds, squid or fish strewn across tabletops. His works show a curiosity, an interest in the painter’s world and enjoyment of the craft.” -A.J. Edwards, Arts Writer

 

A graduate of the National Art School, Peter Godwin lectured in painting, drawing and printmaking at the school for many years. He was awarded the Gruner Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in 1979 and again in 1985. He has been a recipient of the Mosman Art Prize and has also hung as a finalist in the Sulman Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW.

 

His work is held in numerous private and public collections, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Orange Regional Gallery, Parliament House Collection, Sydney and the National Gallery of Australia. A major survey exhibition of his work, Space, Light & Time, was shown at Orange Regional Gallery in 2024 and S.H. Ervin Gallery in Sydney in 2025.

Artist Interest

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Available Works
  • Peter Godwin, Black Mountain , 2022
    Peter Godwin
    Black Mountain , 2022
    hand painted carborundum relief
    246 x 244 cm, 249 x 256 cm (framed, diptych)
    Edition of 3
    $19,900
  • Peter Godwin, Dark Mountain, Li River, 2014
    Peter Godwin
    Dark Mountain, Li River, 2014
    mezzotint
    30 x 40.5 cm, 42 x 44 cm (framed)
    Edition of 30
    $1,250
  • Peter Godwin, Harp, Marquette, Black Pear and Lemon, 2020
    Peter Godwin
    Harp, Marquette, Black Pear and Lemon, 2020
    tempera emulsion on hemp on board
    49.5 x 66 cm (framed)
    $12,000
  • Peter Godwin, Interior with Highland War Shield, 2009
    Peter Godwin
    Interior with Highland War Shield, 2009
    egg tempera on hemp on board
    122 x 180 cm
    $54,000
  • Peter Godwin, Mask, Maquette, Red I, 2019
    Peter Godwin
    Mask, Maquette, Red I, 2019
    tempera emulsion on italian gesso on marine ply
    30 x 50 cm (framed)
    $7,700
  • Peter Godwin, Music, Mask, Orange, 2019
    Peter Godwin
    Music, Mask, Orange, 2019
    tempera emulsion on italian gesso on marine ply
    30 x 50 cm (framed)
    $7,700
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