Recognised as one of Australia’s most significant abstract artists, John Coburn’s work remains as impactful today as it did over his five decades of painting. Paying homage to the long-standing relationship between the Australian Tapestry Workshop and John Coburn, the ATW has woven over 20 Coburn designs.

‘Early Morning Rain’ (1972) designed by John Coburn AM, is the second major commission for the ATW in 2023. ‘Early Morning Rain’ was originally painted as a maquette for tapestry in 1972 but was not realised into woven form until this year.

Over his five-decade career, John Coburn established a reputation and legacy as one of Australia’s most significant abstract artists.

During his career, Coburn regularly designed works for tapestry, the iconic stage curtains at the Sydney Opera House being one example. The Australian Tapestry Workshop has had a long-standing relationship with Coburn and producing over 20 tapestries in our 47-year history. It is due to this connection and depth of experience working with Coburn, that we can bring to life the original maquette for ‘Early Morning Rain.’

Compared to his tapestry collaboration with the French workshops, his designs produced by the then Victorian Tapestry Workshop were categorised by a lively collaboration and fresh approach. The coarser weave of the Gobelin technique used at the Australian Tapestry Workshop gave an increased scope for the rich mixtures of colour and Coburn enjoyed being in conversation with the skilled Australian weavers.

Shape and tone, two keystones of Coburn’s work have continuously tested the skill of the ATW weavers; with the ability to form a beautifully articulated ‘Coburn curves’ and to gently gradate colour through a ‘Coburn shape’ considered the mark of an accomplished weaver.

With a relatively limited palette of 48 colours, the saturated tones and graphic iconography of ‘Early Morning Rain’ are a brilliant example of the abstract artistry of Coburn and will translate beautifully into tapestry.

‘Early Morning Rain’ is led by Tim Gresham and the weavers on this project include Cheryl Thornton, Amy Cornall and David Pearce. It will take approximately 3 months to complete.