Cover Thomas Godin before the ‘Archipelago # 1’
Thomas Godin before the ‘Archipelago # 1’
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Meet this French painter and printmaker who has had a deep attachment to the Philippine islands and its people
Hailing from the shores of Brittany, France, Thomas Godin brings his latest print series to Whitespace Makati. His latest exhibition, Archipelago, draws inspiration from the Philippines—a country he has fallen in love with. Welcomed by his childhood friend, Jewelmer CEO Jacques Christophe-Branellec, Godin has had the opportunity to travel the archipelago and fully immerse himself in its seas, people, and heritage. From our unique topography to folk spirituality, he pays homage to a country he now calls home.
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Godin’s love for the arts started with one of his first girlfriends, he shared with a laugh. But his journey to discovery was something he would describe as fate. “A friend of mine invited me to discover the intaglio printmaking technique. At the time, I was in IT—information technology—but I loved playing music and attending exhibitions. I didn’t feel at ease with being an artist at first, but when I joined the masterclass, I became crazy in love,” he says.
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His chosen medium—engraving and printmaking—stems from his desire for a challenging creative process. Godin’s work could take months and even years to finish, and that’s precisely what he loves about it. “You have to be focused. It’s linked with a lot of things mechanical. The tools, chemistry, and you have to be amazingly precise. To me, it’s the technique closest to what nature could give.”
The creative process draws from his memories. He creates colourful landscapes out of the places he’s visited. From a bird’s eye view of the Philippine archipelago to the Taal Volcano and cultural icons he’s seen during his travels, Godin describes it as a ‘smooth happiness,’ creating something out of plain reminiscing.
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His exhibit, Archipelago, is his pride and love for the Philippines. Growing up in Brittany and coming to the Philippines, Godin noticed similarities. “To me, it’s close. The people of Brittany are connected to nature, as the Filipinos are.” Godin has been to the Philippines five times now and plans to settle by the end of this year. “I want to have a studio here, but I don’t know where yet because I love the whole country. If only I could put my studio on a boat so I could travel the islands every day,” he ends with a chuckle.
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Becoming an artist, to Godin, is a duty. Opening windows, telling unique stories, and giving people the ability to dream are why he creates. He sees art as a marker of the time he’s living in, a witness and proof of life. “Being an artist creates links between the people and different times in history, whether past, present, or future,” Godin shares.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
Work
A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
