Historical information

Marie Cook is an accomplished Australian tapestry weaver who draws inspiration from nature, memory, and everyday life. With decades of practice, including time as a weaver at the Australian Tapestry Workshop in the late 1970s, Cook translates subtle nuances of colour and texture into hand-woven works that celebrate the enduring tradition of tapestry. Based on the southwest coast of Victoria, Cook is dedicated to mentoring emerging weavers and preserving the rich legacy of tapestry weaving for future generations.

Cook is known for two major tapestries, Wattle and Pink Heath, both woven in 1979 for the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne. Each tapestry is 3 metres by 6 metres, taking a team of 4 – 8 weavers to complete. Wattle and Pink Heath have remained popular depictions of Australian flora and are still much loved by Melbournians.

The works exhibited in this exhibition are based on observational drawings Cook made during a visit to Roses Gap in the Grampians/Gariwerd.