Kathleen Goodwin Biography
Kathleen GoodwinI was born in South Africa, fortunately into a family who are not racist. As a child, I loved to paint, but I followed in my father’s footsteps by pursuing a Science degree in Chemistry and Mathematics. I left South Africa in my early twenties to travel to Britain, Europe and then the United States. I was among the crowds at the Lincoln Memorial protesting the invasion of Cambodia. I returned to Durban determined to write about horrors of Apartheid - the effect it was having on millions of people. I was the bleeding liberal on a daily newspaper writing about living conditions in the townships, the appalling state of the African schools, (where unlike in the White schools, children had to pay for all their school supplies), I was court reporter where justice was a joke. After a few years, I realized I either had to become a full time activist or leave the country. I chose the latter as I wished to pursue my own creative aspirations.
Moving directly to Berkeley, I earned my keep by making feather jewelry and selling it on Telegraph Avenue. During this time I was diagnosed with a melanoma tumor in my right eye. This culminated in my having the eye removed. I received excellent care. Few people know my right eye is a crafted implant as it moves with the left. Shortly after this, I met Richard Blair, a photographer. We immediately had a bond because of visual awareness and a keen love of life. We went to Hawaii together and when I forgot the camera I had just bought for the trip, I purchased art supplies. This started me on a creative path I am still on. Painting is my first love but I do take many photographs particularly now that digital cameras have improved the medium.
