Ken Done FDIA (Hon), AM
Ken Done of NSW is an artist, designer and graphic artist.
Through painting Ken Done has communicated his passion for Australia and the environment in which he lives as he sees it, and projected it to the world. Adopting the view that art can work on many mediums in addition to canvas, Done’s distinctive and iconic style has emblazoned merchandise, fashion, bags, stationery, home wares, a BMW Artcar through to a series of works developed for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Done’s signature colourful style and original approach was honed at National Art School in East Sydney 1954- 1959, where he commenced at age 14 and was later complemented by a Bachelor of Design (Hon), Sydney Graphics College. He credits graphic design along with painters such as Van Gogh as influences on his work. He first made his mark as an art director and designer in advertising across New York, London and Sydney, scooping a coveted Cannes Gold Lion award in 1967. Done had always painted at every opportunity and made the transition to full time artist at age 40. After staging his first solo exhibition in 1980 he has now amassed more than 50 one person shows in various locations throughout Australia, Europe, Japan and the USA. A major retrospective, ’Ken Done: the art of design’ was held at the Powerhouse in 1994.
While paintings by Done are held in many collections, he has made art and design accessible to everyday people in everyday realms. Done’s paintings have been the catalyst underscoring his Australian enterprise - Done Art and Design which has in effect promoted Australian art and design to a global audience. In many quarters around the world, Ken Done’s work was considered symbolic of Australia and Australians as creative, optimistic and bold. In Japan, a new and original artwork was featured on the cover of Japanese magazine Hanako each week from the launch issue for over ten years.
The diversity of awards and accolades bestowed on Ken Done, speaks much about the widespread impact of his creativity ranging from Order of Australia (A.M.), for services to Art, Design and Tourism in (1992), The Japanese Foreign Minister’s Award (2007); the Spirit of Australia Award for excellence in the Australian Arts to Westpac Export Heroes Award (1999). Committed to helping others along his journey, Done gained recognition from Rotary International and has held the honorary position of Australian Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. The induction of Ken Done to the Design Institute of Australia’s Hall of Fame in 2011 concurs his significant contribution to Australian design.
