John Hadwen

Hadwen was born in Hastings, New Zealand. A self-taught weaver and loom-maker, he began weaving full-time in 1974, and in 1979 received an Arts Council Study Grant allowing him to spend six months in Europe visiting and observing tapestry studios, galleries, museums and collections. On his return, Hadwen established a tapestry studio in the hill country near Murchison in the South Island, which was one of the first in New Zealand to employ the services of other weavers to complete private and public commissions.

As with all of John Hadwen's work, it reflects his technical skill and emphasises design and color. He once commented, “A craftsman’s most important contribution to society is his attitude towards his work: a seeing eye, a caring hand, a loving heart, coordinating to produce a work radiating the spirit in which it is formed.”

Worked with Brian Brake, photographer.

Artist files held at:

Fine Arts Library, University of Auckland

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Exhibited:

Canterbury Society of Arts

New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts