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About Ken Done
History |
Born 29 June 1940, in Sydney, Ken left school at 14 to enter
the National Art School in East Sydney. After 5 years study, he
commenced a highly successful career as an art director and designer
in New York, London and Sydney.
Ken Done's first solo exhibition was held in Sydney in 1980. Since
then, he has held over 50 one-man shows, including major exhibitions
in Australia, Europe, Japan and the USA. His work has been described
as the most original style to come out of Australia, and his paintings
are in collections throughout the world. Over the past few years,
Ken has devoted most of his time to painting. His works have been
shown in the Archibald, Sulman, Wynne, Blake, and Dobell Prizes.
Major projects in a very diverse career include the painting of a
BMW Artcar, and the total decorative scheme for the Garden Restaurant
at the Powerhouse Museum, in Sydney. In 1994, a major retrospective
'Ken Done: the art of design' was mounted by the Powerhouse. The artist's
first European exhibition was held in Paris, in 1996 to great acclaim.
In 2000 and 2001 collections of Ken Done's original work were successfully
premiered in Los Angeles and San Francisco and two sell-out shows
were held in London.
An original Ken Done work has featured on the cover of the weekly
Japanese magazine Hanako for over ten years, and in recent times Ken
has also become involved in the movement toward a new Australian flag.
In 1999, Done was asked to create a series of works for the Opening
and Closing Ceremonies programs of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Ken's paintings have become the creative source of a unique, and very
successful Australian business - Done Art and Design. With numerous
'Done' stores in Australia, and representation in selected stockists
throughout the world, Done Art and Design continues to develop and
expand, promoting Australian art and design to a world-wide audience.
Although he has worked extensively for many charitable organisations,
the welfare of underprivileged children has always been a special
concern of Ken's. Father of the Year in 1989, Ken Done holds the honorary
position of Australian Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.
In 1992, Ken received the Order of Australia (A.M.), for services
to Art, Design and Tourism. In many parts of the world, Ken Done has
come to symbolise Australia and Australians: creative, optimistic
and bold.
More on Ken Done's Projects
Ken Done
Books
Permament Collection
Current Exhibition |
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