signed lower right: Coburn
Provenance: The estate of John Coburn

Related to Earth I 1981, Strata 1982 is another fine example of Coburn’s deep spiritual and innate connection with the land. Using a more simplified palette - white, brown and black, with tinges of grey - Coburn focuses our attention on the hovering horizontal shapes and the various connotations that are conjured in the mind of the viewer. ' ...There is often symbolism behind what is visually depicted. I don’t mind what interpretation people place on it, even if they misconstrue my original intentions. In fact, I quite like that: I think that’s all part of my work.' 

There is an ephemeral and mesmerising quality to these large-scale land paintings that relates directly to Coburn’s physical and emotional responses towards Australia’s multifaceted landscape. Strata 1982 could be reminiscent of many themes. Perhaps a mirage in the desert that floats in and out of focus; the never-ending and monotonous dusty roads and tracks that cut through the terrain; the palpable heat that steams and rises from the dry and cracked earth; the constant haze that hugs the infinite horizon-line; the diverse construction of geography that ranges from jagged mountainous peaks, rugged gorges and dusty planes to luscious and fertile rock pools, tropical rainforests and waterfalls; the stages of human spiritual existence - heaven, earth and the underworld; the saturated and meditative colour-field paintings of Mark Rothko; and an inherent understanding and respect for the land and it’s traditional owners.