David Cochrane: Water Surface

Dovecot Master Weaver David Cochrane has had a longstanding interest in the representation of water in tapestry, that harks back to Raphael’s fishermen and reflective pools of water in Flemish verdure tapestries. Expanding on this tradition, Cochrane created a contemporary, almost photorealist, tapestry that depicts the movement and ephemeral quality of water.

Using his own photographic imagery of the gently rippled surface of the Crinan Canal in Argyll and Bute, Cochrane demonstrates his supreme skill as a Master Weaver in both the design and weaving of Water Surface. With an overall composition that fills the tapestry, the subtle colour shifts mark out the ripples and eddies of the water, evoking gentle movement and hidden depths in the reflections on the surface.

A complex yet meditative tapestry, Water Surface is a culmination of experience, creativity, and skill that highlights the unique talent of Dovecot weavers.