Playful, vibrant and bold, Ken Done’s artwork is truly one-of-a-kind. In the Ken Done: Painting Australia series, Ken captures his love of the Australian landscape, from the joyful shout of Sydney and the Aussie Beach to the calm beauty of the Outback and Reef.
Scroll through some selections of Ken’s work below, carefully curated from each book and accompanied by his charming commentary.
Story by Jackie Money
SYDNEY
“The world-famous musician James Morrison is an old friend. He once released an album of music inspired by a number of my paintings. In one song he gave a musical notation to the way I had placed my drawings of yachts in this work, The Wednesday Race. Who could ask for more?”
– Ken Done
On the cover: White Opera, yellow sky, 1998. Acrylic on canvas. ©Ken Done
BEACH
“This work was one of a number I showed in my first exhibition in Paris. The picture of the sunbaker by the famous Australian photographer Max Dupain is one of our most revered images. I’ve made numerous paintings using the iconic form as a graphic device, always with reverence and respect.”
– Ken Done
On the cover: Balmoral I, 1993. Oil and acrylic on canvas. ©Ken Done
OUTBACK
“When I look at the Outback, I often think of Sidney Nolan. One of our most influential artists, I was lucky enough to meet and talk with him a couple of times. For me, he will always be the Kelly figure looking at the landscape.”
– Ken Done
On the cover: Postcard from the Bungle Bungle, 2001. Acrylic on canvas. ©Ken Done
REEF
©Ken Done
“A jelly and a fish. Then a jellyfish. Lots of things you find in the sea. This painting, now in a big Japanese collection, is fun. Some images are tight, and some I’ve played games with. Being underwater should always be fun.”
– Ken Done
On the cover: Zebra fish, 2013. Oil and acrylic on linen. ©Ken Done
Posted on February 26, 2020