Coburn, John (1925- ) ,

Australian painter and tapestry designer, whose largely abstract works focus on human relationships with landscapes and the beauty of nature.

Coburn was born in Ingham, Queensland, and studied painting in Sydney. His work, however, was influenced by the art forms of other countries, including Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) and Japan, where he was sent as a soldier during World War II (1939-1945).

From 1969 to 1972 Coburn designed tapestries for the Aubusson workshops in Paris, including a commission in 1970 for two large tapestry curtains for the Sydney Opera House.

Coburn has exhibited in Australia, New York, Washington, and Paris and his work is represented in the Australian National Gallery, all Australian state galleries, the Vatican Museum in Rome, the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and in a number of private collections.