Who: Artist/actor/writer John Coburn
What: 1,000 sq. ft. live/work studio
Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns, Toronto
John Coburn is one of 26 of lucky artists to secure a subsidized live/work space in the newly-opened Artscape Wychwood Barns in midtown Toronto. A former TTC repair yard, the “Barns” have been preserved and transformed thanks to years of hard work and millions of dollars of public and private funding.
One of the most open and upbeat people I know, Coburn didn’t hesitate to show me around his studio just three weeks after moving into the space. While I was there two other groups of acquaintances arrived unannounced and were welcomed in for quick tours.
Like most of the Wychwood live/work space, Coburn’s studio is front and centre with a residential street on one side and a busy courtyard on the other. A lively farmer’s market has joined the community mix on Saturday mornings and Coburn is wholeheartedly engaged in meeting the other artists who make up this chummy little colony.
Coburn’s two children, Lukas, 13, and Kiyomi, 11, live with him half-time so the two-room loft level above his kitchen/studio adapts depending on who’s staying over on a given night.
I’m certain that when I visit Coburn a year from now, the space will have changed significantly, and maybe we’ll do another house tour then. In the meantime, enjoy this glimpse into how one very creative soul has tailored a smallish, two-level space to suit his very busy and highly social life.
For an entertaining demonstration of John’s art, view this fab, animated holiday card he created for the New York Hilton Hotel.
Describe your style: Abstract - like a dazzling work of art or brilliant theatre; I prefer interiors that surprise you every few moments. Traditional vs junkyard vs contempory Deco disco. Keep your visitors curious with an open interpretive style that will excite their imaginations. Trust that things that probably shouldn’t mix - do.
Favorite element? My over-sized “Detective Desk” for my Mac. Also, the kitchen studio; art materials and the contrast of food items. There’s something about a blank canvas and a pot of tea.
Proudest moment? My two children. The satisfaction of completing a painting and/or stepping on stage.
Best find? The enamel “Broadway & Lafayette” street sign in my front window. I found it in a junk shop in NYC. Another cool find was my 120-year-old hutch from a farmer’s kitchen. I spent about 30 hours refurbishing it to bring back the classic, down-home charm.
Biggest indulgence? Collecting books about New York.
Best advice? I’ve created commissions for hundreds of homes and it’s safe to say that 80 per cent of interiors are far too predictable. Play with as many wonderful materials as possible and enjoy the process. If every object you find, make or buy is well designed, then it will ALL work together.
Dream sources? Guaranteed tip to opening one’s design sense for life - Japan.
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Is your space styleNorth worthy? Are you a real Canadian decorating? Send us some pics to consider and you could wind up with a page of your own on styleNorth: info@stylenorth.ca.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Beautiful space. It is so nice to see this slideshow, because I have walked by many times and wondered what the living spaces look like inside.