John Coburn (1925-2006)

'"The Tree of Life" is based on the Jewish menorah. The seven branched candlestick which sprouts leaves has always fascinated me and I have used it on other occasions in both paintings and tapestries as a tree of life. Sometimes it could be a symbol for the tree in the Garden of Eden. In some of the stained glass medieval windows, they had trees of life. This tree is sprouting leaves and it's also sprouting a chalice and above it is the host, which is Christ, or the sun, if you like, so it is symbolic of the Old Testament and the New Testament and God above it.' (John Coburn, 1988)