Gordon Crook: tapestries

Tuhinga 31: 70-90

ABSTRACT: Gordon Crook (1921–2011) is a major New Zealand artist, well represented in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa collection. He came to New Zealand in 1972, aged 51, where he made for himself a new career, based upon new styles of artmaking, particularly tapestries, both large-scale wall hangings and more intimate pieces. He wove many of the small works himself, but also worked with New Zealand weavers, in particular Lesley Nicholls and Trish Armour. This is the first study to examine the range of Crook’s textile art made in New Zealand and his response to Pacific and Oceanic themes.

KEYWORDS: Gordon Crook, Lesley Nicholls, tapestry, design, textiles, loom, frame, cartoon, weaving, style, imagery.