Works for the Sydney Opera House

Curtain of the Sun & Curtain of the Moon

John Coburn’s monumental contribution to one of the world’s most iconic buildings

In 1973, as Australia prepared to unveil its most ambitious cultural project—the Sydney Opera House—John Coburn was commissioned to create two vast stage curtains for the newly completed Drama Theatre and Playhouse. These two works, Curtain of the Sun and Curtain of the Moon, are among Coburn’s most recognisable and celebrated achievements.

The Opera House commission marked a turning point not only in Coburn’s career, but in the recognition of abstract art in Australia. Selected for his ability to convey universal meaning through form and colour, Coburn brought to the project a rare blend of artistic precision and spiritual resonance.

Curtain of the Sun

Designed for the Joan Sutherland Opera Theatre, Curtain of the Sun is an expansive, glowing composition that radiates warmth and optimism. Using his signature language of abstract symbols and rich, flat colour fields, Coburn created a tapestry-like design that evokes the rising sun, organic growth, and the life-giving power of nature. The curtain reflects themes of creativity, energy, and renewal—echoing the emotional landscape of the stage performances it would conceal and reveal.

This curtain became a defining visual moment for visitors to the Sydney Opera House, and remains one of the most photographed interior features of the building. At over 13 metres wide, it stands as a true statement piece and a landmark of Australian modernism.

Curtain of the Moon

Curtain of the Moon, designed for the Drama Theatre, complements its solar counterpart. More subdued and mysterious in tone, it features deep blues, lilacs, and silvers—colours symbolic of reflection, dream states, and the unconscious. Where Curtain of the Sun is energetic and outward-facing, Curtain of the Moon invites contemplation and introspection, mirroring the more intimate scale and dramatic nature of the Playhouse performances.

Together, the two curtains form a perfect duality—light and dark, day and night, energy and stillness—offering audiences a poetic introduction before the curtain rises.

Art Meets Craft: Weaving the Vision

While Coburn created the designs, the curtains themselves were fabricated by expert weavers in France, using the Gobelins technique—a centuries-old tradition of tapestry weaving. The result is not just an artwork, but a functional, handwoven artefact that blends art and architecture, symbolism and storytelling.

Coburn’s attention to form and balance meant that the images were carefully constructed to be symmetrical yet organic, abstract yet deeply human. These works were never just decorative backdrops—they were designed to elevate the entire theatrical experience.

Cultural Significance

These works were among the first examples of large-scale contemporary art commissioned for a major Australian public building. At a time when abstract art was still controversial in many circles, their installation in the nation’s most prestigious performing arts venue was a bold and visionary move. It represented a national shift toward a more progressive and inclusive cultural identity—an Australia willing to embrace modernism, spirituality, and innovation.

The fact that Coburn’s works were chosen as permanent fixtures within the Opera House is a testament to the deep resonance of his vision. These curtains are more than stage dressings—they are cultural artefacts, part of the visual DNA of the Opera House itself.

Enduring Legacy

Millions of visitors to the Opera House have seen Coburn’s curtains without knowing the artist’s name. Yet the impact of these works—through their sheer scale, colour, and symbolism—has left a lasting impression on Australian visual culture. They remain iconic examples of how visual art can interact with public space, performance, and the collective imagination.

Even today, 50 years after they were first revealed, Curtain of the Sun and Curtain of the Moon continue to inspire wonder, reverence, and curiosity—true to Coburn’s lifelong mission to create art that speaks to the soul.