Peter D Cole’s 1998 design, Langley Landscape with bridge, waterhole, tree and moon, was translated into tapestry by the ATW in 2003.

Cole is known primarily for his brightly coloured metal sculptures, which incorporate a narrative voice within an almost minimalist / abstract style. His pastel drawings relate to his sculptural structures through colour, line and form.

The design for this tapestry was selected from a large range of Peter’s pastel drawings, and was chosen for its elegant composition of the landscape elements, characteristic of Peter’s work, set in a field of gently pulsating orange. Depicting the surrounding landscape of his Langley studio, the rich burnt orange background gives the landscape depth and the weavers have kept the spirit of the original medium of pastel by bleeding the background colour through the other solid areas of colour. The tapestry medium, in a magical way, enhances the colour and strengthens the composition and is able at the same time to be true to the artist’s fine lyrical expression.

Interestingly, the original pastel from 1998 depicted a different element in the top left hand corner and for the design of this tapestry—the studio element was replaced with the moon. The design may appear deceptively straightforward, but often these designs are the ones that present the most technical challenges for the weavers, in this case keeping true to the preciseness of the line-work was a key focus for the weavers.

Peter D Cole has exhibited widely and undertaken major public art commissions across Australia.