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Media release

22 September 2021

Colour explodes in new exhibition

Gallery hosts iconic artist Ken Done

Ken Done AM, Ultramarine coral head 2010-2018, oil and acrylic on canvas, 150 x 200cm. Image courtesy Ken Done Gallery, Sydney © The artist

A new exhibition by one of Australia’s most recognisable artists, Ken Done AM, titled Up to 80 will be on display at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre from Friday 1 October to Sunday 28 November 2021, COVID-19 restrictions permitting.

The exhibition will bring together a vivid collection of works completed by Done from the last two decades.

Known for his vibrant and colourful depictions of iconic Australian scenes from Sydney Harbour and sun-drenched beaches to tropical coral reefs and the Outback, Done captures the essence of how it feels to be Australian.

“My paintings are quite unashamedly a response to the great joy of living in Australia,” Done said.

Done held his first exhibition at the age of 40, and since then, he has held more than 100 solo shows, including major exhibitions in Australia, Europe, Japan and the USA. His works have been displayed in the Archibald, Sulman, Wynne, Blake, and Dobell Prizes.

Now at the age of 81, he continues to work with the same passion and vigour, working from his idyllic harbourside studio “the cabin” at Chinamans Beach in Sydney. With no plans to retire, Done will wield his brushes and oil crayons until he "falls off the twig".

Amber Creswell Bell, author of Ken Done: Art Design Life wrote, “if you were to ask Ken how long it takes him to complete a painting, he will tell you ‘roughly 80 years’. He’ll also tell you that at age 81 he’s a much better painter than he was at 40, and we should probably wait to see how good he is at 90.”

Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM said, “We are delighted to host this exhibition of beautiful work by iconic and well-loved Australian artist Ken Done.”

“This exhibition will represent many of the artist’s favourite and best-loved subjects, and I am certain the colourful and fun works will bring joy to our visitors – something we all need a bit of right now.”

For workshop and event details, including bookings, visit the Gallery website.

The Gallery will host Ken Done in conversation with writer and curator Amber Creswell Bell on Friday 19 November at 5:30 pm.

Join us for this special event and gain insights into the artist’s practice and the exhibition Up to 80. Numbers are strictly limited and booking essential through Eventbrite

Photo 1: Ultramarine coral head - Ken Done

Ken Done AM, Ultramarine coral head 2010-2018, oil and acrylic on canvas, 150 x 200cm. Image courtesy Ken Done Gallery, Sydney © The artist

Photo 2: Ken Done - the artist

Iconic artist Ken Done will be featured in a new exhibition coming to the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre. Photo: Stuart Spence.