013 Ben Godward Studio Visit
Robert Irwin, Art as Experience, 24hrs of Lemons
I’ve been a big fan of Ben Godward’s work for years. I was excited to see some of his bigger pieces at the Pacific Design Center when I was in LA last fall and foolishly tried to go there on a Sunday when the building was closed (they looked great through the windows though!) Ben was kind enough to invite me to his studio in Bushwick to take a look at what he’s been working on these days.
I was originally attracted to the unusual shape of the long, skinny, sleek wedges, in beautiful, colorful resin, interesting and graphic. And fits in a normal person’s house! But I was thrilled to see these larger radial works in the studio as well with fluid, rounder more organic shapes. The light shining through, bouncing off the wall in a different way than it shines through the wedges. He contrasts these two shapes by describing the wedges as “pop songs” and the radial works as “symphonies.” An abstract concept that absolutely rang true to me.
Ben in an interview with Rob de Oude of Transmitter Gallery:
I used to make bronze and steel sculptures. While successful in some ways, they seemed of another time. My lived experience is not one of gently patinated bronze but vibrantly colored plastics. Also the process of only adding material is intentional. We are not a refined, polished society. Every decision is an addition, there is no erasure. Bad decisions are lived with and reacted to, rarely do they lead to full disaster, but rather become something new to react to. An internal tension develops.
The sculptures are glossy, but not too perfect. With markings, cracks, bubbles and scars left in the resin from the mould and/or removal from it. I love the choices he’s making with color and opacity to create a nice movement though each piece. There’s a great video on Gorky’s Granddaughter (a treasure trove of artists discussing their work) where they really get into Ben’s process as well as his influences and references. And we get into it a bit below, where Ben answers my 7 Questions.
7 Questions with Ben Godward
1. How did you get into art?
I always loved drawing and then art class was the best and then somehow I realized that I could keep doing it. My Grandma loved art, so I was exposed a bit through her. She owned Godward Glass stained glass shop in Indianapolis and then retired from that and became a semi pro ceramicist selling her pots in fairs and shows.
2. Who is an artist you feel is underrated?
There are so many, we all get our time to be in fashion however brief but somebody that I really enjoy and pretty criminally underrated is Meg Lipke she should be showing at Pace or Gagosian. I would add Andrew Ohanesian, Matthew Miller, and Letha Wilson to that list as well, all could have shows at MOMA and I wouldn't be surprised.
3. What book would you recommend to new collectors?
This feels like the hardest question. My art Bible is Art as Experience by John Dewey (pragmatist) its bordering on philosophy but he speaks relatively plainly, but its still dense. Not sure its the best book for those new to this world, A Few Things About Robert Irwin. | Art + Film, this might be a good intro into ART. I love Robert Irwin because he is down to earth and is also a genius. Its a really shortened version of a DIA foundation movie that was on DVD called the Beauty of Questions, it was on YouTube for a short time hosted by Xippas Gallery in Paris.
4. What is one piece of advice you have for new collectors?
Do your research. Find an artist that is interesting to you. Meet them. We are not hard to find. Visit the studio if you have time. Find the art you love and want to live with. And then figure out how you are going to get it. Ask for a discount if you need it, but not if you can afford it.
5. What gallery show or museum exhibition have you seen recently that you really enjoyed?
Camille Henrot at Hauser and Wirth, Mark Lackey at Gladstone, Roxanne Jackson at Anton Kern Window in Tribeca, Ross Knight at Off Paradise, and I wrote a review recently of a great show on Two Coats of Paint, which is a great resource for local art (mostly painting) on Vincent Szarek’s odysseys.
6. If you could have any piece of art in your home what would it be?
If it was any home it would be a Roni Horn lozenge. If it was my current rickety walk up railroad apt it would be a Louise Bourgeois bronze.
7. What is something you would recommend completely unrelated to the art world?
I really enjoyed Cormac McCarthy's (RIP) last two books, they are a pair. The Passenger and Stella Maris. I think they touch on the humanity and sadness and beauty of life and then go a little further into the nature of reality. I think about Stella Maris all the time. But its not possible to not read The Passenger first, they are short anyway. Also maybe connected to art if you haven't seen "I'm Dying Up Here" it's worth a watch. And maybe explains art in a really full way. Also my latest OBSESSION is 24hours of Lemons. I built a racecar with my buddy Sam and then we raced in New Hampshire in October. It was terrible and amazing and I’m going to be doing it a couple of times this year, 24 Hours of Lemons - Wheel to Wheel Racing for $500 Cars.
Thank you so much to Ben Godward! Follow him and be on the lookout for upcoming shows. Take his beautiful pieces and put them in your home. Until next time!