Lot 171

In very good condition with no visible signs of repair, one pinhole sized abrasion to lower centre, unexamined out of frame


The opinions expressed in the condition reports are a guide only and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect articles for sale at our pre-sale viewing where Leonard Joel staff are available for advice.
Leonard Joel makes no guarantee of the originality of mechanical or applied components. Absence of reference to such modifications does not imply that a lot is free from modifications.

John Coburn (1925-2006) was a renowned Australian artist, teacher, tapestry designer and printmaker. Intentionally drawing inspiration from international artists such as Matisse, Miro, Mondrian, Picasso and Rothko, Coburn developed his distinctive style early in his career and remained dedicated to it throughout. In 1969 he described it as "a flat-patterned style of painting, using brilliant colour combinations based on natural or organic images" ('Having his say - on canvas', Canberra Times, 22 January 1969, p. 13).

Carnival of Birds is a quintessential Coburn composition featuring immediately recognisable shapes in bright, rich colours. The abstracted birds feature a single eye as though viewed in profile flying through the hot Australian summer sky. The title is celebratory and fantastical, one could almost be forgiven for believing the collective noun of these magical birds to be a carnival.

Coburn is one of Australia's foremost abstract artists and his works are housed in state and regional galleries across Australia as well as at Rome's Vatican Museum and Vienna's Graphische Sammlung Albertina.

© John Coburn/Copyright Agency, 2021