Martin Godin is a Canadian artist exploring the connection between painting and our rapidly changing world. His art practice centres the individual in the flow of historical and contemporary forces, to further develop the queer response to postwar movements.

Martin mixes traditional with unconventional materials, including the mining by-product slag rock [roche slague, ou scories], to capture their alchemical interaction and the interplay of figurative with abstract representation. Through his interdisciplinary work—Martin's painting, research and writing reflects upon continuity and change, the oscillation between cultural ferment and watershed, and the formation of community and identity.

Martin’s work has been presented across Canada, including at Nuit Rose as part of World Pride 2014 in Toronto (curated by the late Wendy Coburn). Martin completed a BFA with Distinction from OCAD University in 2015, and received his MFA from the University of Ottawa in 2020, where he was the recipient of the Charles Gagnon Scholarship. On graduation, Martin was awarded the René Payant Prize of excellence for outstanding MFA thesis.

2018 - 2020 – Master of Fine Arts / Maîtrise en Arts Visuels (MFA/MAV), University of Ottawa / Université d'Ottawa, Ottawa, ON

2011 - 2015 – Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA with Distinction), OCAD University, Toronto, ON

2023 – Colloquium: Pratiques en art post-études supérieures [Artist Research and Criticism post-MFA], Place de l'Université-du-Québec, Saint-Roch, Québec City, QC (June 19-20)

2022 – Environmental Identities, Artist Brown-bag Lunch and Discussion, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana (Nov 10)

2022 – Breccia [Brèche], Field-study of Fragments and Mimetoliths, Greater Sudbury, ON; Self-curated (October)

2022 – Artist Round-table on Contemporary Issues, ARTlab/Art Barn, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB (June 13) 

2021 – Digital Compassion: The Body Electric Retrospective, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, International Conference on Residency Education; Curator: Dr. Allison Crawford

2021 – Artist Talk for Paydirt [Bonne veine], Introduction by Meghan Ho (Exhibitions and Interpretation Coordinator), Ottawa Art Gallery / Galerie d'art d'Ottawa, Ottawa, ON (August 4th)

2021 – Emergent [Émergence] Virtual Reception and Panel Talk, Moderated by Catherine Sinclair (Deputy Director, Chief Curator), Ottawa Art Gallery / Galerie d'art d'Ottawa, Ottawa, ON (Feb 23)

January 23 to March 7, 2021 – Paydirt [Bonne veine], as part of Emergent [Émergence], Alma Duncan Salon, Ottawa Art Gallery / Galerie d'art d'Ottawa, Ottawa, ON; Self-curated with curator Catherine Sinclair; Video walk-through (at 6:45): https://youtu.be/LJtkD_UHjDg

2020 – Knock on X, Various locations in Montréal, QC (see Instagram for listing details), #BYOM 

Cancelled 2020 – Paydirt: MFA Thesis Exhibition, Ottawa Art Gallery / Galerie d’art d’Ottawa, Ottawa, ON (August)

2020 – New Paintings Preview, Studio 202, University of Ottawa / Université d'Ottawa, Ottawa, ON; Self-curated (Jan 10 to 17)

2019 – CLNZMJ, Gallery/Galerie 115, University of Ottawa / Université d'Ottawa, Ottawa, ON; Curators: Second Year MFA Students

2019 – Balboa/New Series Preview, PS311, University of Ottawa / Université d'Ottawa, Ottawa, ON; Self-curated

2018 – Slag Performance, Field Study [Projet en plein air], Sudbury, ON (August, in various GPS locations); Self-curated

2017 – The Body Electric [Le corps électrique], Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, International Conference on Residency Education, Québec City, QC and Associated Medical Services Phoenix Conference, Toronto, ON; Curator: Dr. Allison Crawford

2017 – ROCKS, Théâtre Sainte-Catherine; Studio Béluga, in association with Concordia University, Faculty of Arts, Curatorial Studies, Montréal, QC; Curator: Hannah Zanovello (Vernissage and publication release April 18, 5-7pm, until June 24)

2017 – Bedrock Documentation, Artist-in-Residence, Ottawa School of Art, Ottawa, ON

2016 – Go Figure, Gladstone Hotel Art Gallery, Toronto, ON; Curators: Dr. Spencer J. Harrison; Lukus Toane (Oct 4 to Nov 28)

2016 – A Celebration of Pride and Diversity, Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, Kelowna, British Columbia; Curator: Lorna McParland (Opening reception Aug 4)

2015 – Art That Matters, Steelworkers Gallery 6500, Sudbury, ON; Curators: Sarah King-Gold; Laurie McGauley (Oct 18 to Dec 1)

2015 – 20/20: Vision/Hindsight (WAHC's 20th Anniversary Exhibition and Celebration), Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, Hamilton, ON; Curator: Tara Bursey (Sept 11 to Dec 18)

2015 – OCAD University GradEx (100th Annual Graduate Exhibition), OCAD University Campus, Toronto, ON; Contributors: Graduates

2015 – Perspective: First Generation, Student Gallery (52 McCaul St), OCAD University, Toronto, ON; Curator: Claire Bartleman

2015 – Festival of the Body, Great Hall, OCAD University, Toronto, ON; Curators: Wrik Mead; Natalie Waldburger

2014 – Speculations on Figurative Painting, Gallery 265 (The Fishbowl), OCAD University, Toronto, ON; Curator: Natalie Waldburger

2014 – Bending the Horizon (In association with World Pride 2014 and Nuit Rose), Graduate Gallery, OCAD University, Toronto, ON; Curator: Wendy Coburn