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

2025 – Manuports (Rockhounding and Field-Study of Metamorphic Assemblages); A.Y. Jackson Lookout, Greater Sudbury, ON; Self-funded/curated (August)

2024 – New Paintings Preview / Studio Visit [Vernissage et visite d'atelier]; Contact for details, Ottawa, ON (November)

2023 – Recherche-création artistique post-MFA [Artistic Research and Creation Post-MFA]; Artist Meetup and Discussion (Lunch and Learn, pique-nique), Place de l’Université-du-Québec, Jardin Jean-Paul-L’Allier, Saint-Roch, Québec City, QC (June 20)

2022 – Environmental Identities; Artist Meetup and Discussion (Lunch and Learn), Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana (Nov 10)

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

2022 – Contemporary Issues in Painting; Artist Meetup and Discussion (BYOLunch) University of Manitoba, ARTlab/Art Barn, Winnipeg, MB (June 13)

2021 – Digital Compassion: The Body Electric; 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 4)

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)

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 (January 23 to March 7)