Tim Gresham’s tapestries are about light, colour and rhythm, and are influenced by landscape and modernist design. The time it takes to weave tapestries by hand, and the rhythm of the weaving process are integral to the work. Gresham uses centuries old tapestry techniques such as hatching and half passing. Hatching can graphically form tonal and colour gradations using just two or three colours. Gresham’s use of half passing creates rigid vertical lines that interact with the hatching, and emphasise the structure and repetitive nature of the weave.

Starting with just a concept and colour palette, the design is drawn on the warp incrementally during the weaving. While the weave is finely crafted and controlled, the forms are encouraged to warp and stretch as they grow giving life to the work. Colours shift across the surface, playing with effects of depth and perception. The tapestries are improvised, sensual and spontaneous, yet created in extreme slow motion.

Tim Gresham’s practice in woven tapestry spans more than 30 years. Alongside this practice he is a senior weaver at the Australian Tapestry Workshop. Gresham’s recent abstract work reflects light and colour in rhythmic compositions with a nod to modernist design. He utilises techniques unique to woven tapestry and the works evolve as they are woven.

Gresham has exhibited widely including solo exhibitions at Craft Victoria in 2004 and Craft ACT in 2011. His work was included in the Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award 2023, Cicely and Colin Rigg Contemporary Design Award, National Gallery of Victoria, 2003, and Group Exchange the 2nd Tamworth Textile Triennial, 2014. He has work in public and private collections including The City of Darebin, LA Trobe University Art Museum, Ararat Gallery TAMA (Textile Art Museum Australia) and Wangaratta Art Gallery.