KING NOBUYOSHI GODWIN (b. 1991) lives and works in Raleigh, North Carolina. Godwin began painting at the age of 22. His paintings often depict elements of the natural world—underwater creatures, birds, trees—juxtaposed with the synthetic vibrance of neon colors. His works range in size from small, single-subject paintings to large paintings that capture entire narratives. Regardless of their physical size, Godwin's work is incredibly detailed. Godwin has autism and a form of synesthesia, a condition in which the perception of one sensory experience triggers another. For Godwin, numerical synesthesia means that numbers are connected to feelings and experiential stories.

Godwin creates his work in three stages, first laying down a bright base coat, and then painting the subject, usually an animal or plant. When he paints, Godwin uses a complex system of colors and numbers to express how he is feeling. Finally, Godwin uses Japanese paint markers to fill his canvas until every inch is covered with numbers and he has achieved a kaleidoscopic effect that is both beautiful and highly meaningful. Godwin then names each work, producing wonderfully specific titles like, "The tree is having a wonderful day because friends are together '99'" and "The elephant is having an okay day because it feels a bit stiff '55.'"

Godwin has been featured in Raw Vision Magazine and named one of one of Raleigh Magazine's "New Influentials." He had a solo exhibition, The Artist Is Having a Good Day, at SAGE in 2021, and SAGE represented his work at the Outsider Art Fair in New York City in 2022 and 2023. You can view more of Godwin's work here.

"I have autism. I speak a little. I paint because it is my job and it feels good. I like to paint what I care about and what I love. I like to paint animals and leaves because they are my friends. They speak to me, they feel me, they are sweet. . . I paint sweet love. I believe that all of my loves to be together. That is a very good thing. I want to be a part of it too. I connect with them in my own way. I put colors and numbers to speak my mind. That is a wonderful thing."