Nathan Goddard

Nathan R. Goddard was born in Grand Rapids, MI and has lived all around the country and traveled widely throughout Europe and Japan.  He received his BFA in Studio Art and Land Art from the University of New Mexico.  It was in the American Southwest that he began to see the greater potential of earth and materials in his paintings and installations.  His investigation of alternative materials and ceramics has continued through his MFA work at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA.

He was awarded to design the Michigan Governor’s Award for Arts in Culture in 2007, commissioned to paint a community mural for the Creston Neighborhood Association in 2009, awarded the jurors award for painting at the Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids, MI in 2009 and a recipient of multiple Merit scholarship at the University of the Arts.

Nathan has taught ceramics to adults, college students and the youth at Kendall College of Art and Design and Stepping Stones Montessori School. Nathan was working in Skaelskor, Denmark at Guldagergaard as the Kiln Yard Technician. Since his return to the states, he has been Professor of Ceramics at Wofford College in South Carolina. His life is dedicated to educating others in the arts and moving the visual art language forward.

Artist Statement

“Before it can ever be the repose for the senses, landscape is the work of the mind. Its scenery is built up as much from strata of memory as from layers of rock.” Ken Taylor

I see making my work as archived memories deep beyond the surface mantle, the earth survives as physical documentation of recollection and reflection. The act of utilizing clay and earth from specific places therefore, literally and conceptually connects my work to a place of origin and the layers of nostalgia associated with it.  Place is my material and my vehicle for addressing these ideas.

Having the ability to transcend these connections and activate my inner voice is of great importance.  Through a spiritual connection I take the memory of the land to create the work.  Similar to the strata of earth, my work is comprised of layers, of daily human observations and the geo-historical knowledge that is held inside of clay. We ultimately depend on the health of the planet in order to continue for future generations.  We are the catalyst to preserve this place. We can move fast like water flowing over rocks and boulders or slowly like plates deep beneath the earth’s surface.