Godfrey Blow is an artist who has had many solo exhibitions beginning with his first in London in 1976 and whose work is held by several major and regional galleries, principally in Western Australia. ln addition he has taken part in numerous mixed exhibitions in Western Australia, New South Wales and the United Kingdom. He has also won several prestigious awards in Western Australia. Blow was born in North Hykeham, Lincolnshire in 1948. He trained as an artist at Sheffield Hallam University in England and came to Western Australia in 1982.

His most recent work is concerned with exploring symbols derived from natural forms that give an insight into the nature of existence. The artist believes that the truth is just as likely to be found in mythology and as relevant to our appreciation of the world as scientific facts. Although elements in the work are highly personal, the images used will strike a universal chord. The development of a more spiritual approach to his painting is becoming increasingly significant. Although spiritual in nature the work is not religious and seeks to understand the world in a meaningful way.

The work is also concerned with responding to natural events that shape our lives. The sudden and recent death of the artist's parents has had a profound influence on his work. The inevitability of death which is perhaps still a taboo in our society, is dealt with in several of the artist's later work. This is not to say that the paintings depict a pessimistic view of the world. The work, in fact, presents life in all of its various facets and hopefully touches part of our intellect and emotions.

This work is the language of the visionary artist and we need to put aside set ideologies and view his art in a new light. Personal truth sought with a genuine desire and integrity is the important factor in the development of this artist's work.

Education

Born North Hykeharn, England in 1948.
Arrived Australia 1982, Citizenship April 1993.

1967-71 Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2nd class honours, upper division, Sheffield Hallam University, England.

1973-74 Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, England.
1994 Master of Visual Arts, Edith Cowan University, Perth, W.A. 2 units completed.

Awards

1984 Bunbury City Invitation Art Purchase Award.
1985 Western Australia Week Invitation Art Award.

1987 Silver Anniversary Art Award, 25th Albany Art Competition.
1987 Highly Commended, Royal Agricultural Society of WA Invitation Art Award.

1993 Highly Commended, The City of Gosnells Art Award.
2002 Cossack Art Award, Category:Painting, Abstract/Modem, Oil or Acrylic.

Selected. Bibliography

Priestley, Douglas Hampstead & Highgate Express, 1976
Prott, Julie Sunday Times, 1984
Warnod, Helen South Western Times, 1984
Snell, Ted Western Mail,1985
Olney, Christine West Australian, 1987
Bromfield, David West Australian, 1988
Germaine,Max Artists & Galleries of Australia, 1990
McGrath, Judy Hills Gazette, 1992
Boyd, Fiona RTR FM University Radio, 1992
Rykes, Graham A Buyers Guide to Australian Art, 1992
McGrath, Judy Arts Unlimited, 1993
Thorpe, D.W. Who’s Who of Australian Visual Artists, 1995
Topka-Nevin, M “Memory & Reality”, catalogue, 1996
McGrath, Judy http://www.artseen.vbw.com.au 2001
McGrath, Judy http://www.artseen.vbw.com.au 2003
Thomson, Charles & O’Keefe, Paul The Stuckist Punk Victorian Book, 2004

Publications

Cover: "Westerly", 2002 literary journal.
"Beginnings", oil, 183cm x 106cm