Sydney Sunday II

Artist Ken Done (1940 -)

Date1991

Object number00048062

NamePainting

MediumOil and acrylic on canvas

DimensionsOverall: 2000 x 1500 x 40 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Ken Done

Terms

DescriptionPainting by Ken Done with images of sailing boats in the water and people on the beach.HistoryKen Done's beach paintings made in the 1990s were often large canvases executed quickly and giving the impression of drawings in paint. These paintings depict duel worlds of boats sailing on the water and sunbathers in repose on the beach. Ken Done infuses the Australian land and seascape with dazzling colour. He paints shapes without outline and colours as shapes, celebrating Australia's coastal fringe. Done captures Australian's at play on or near the water, with the beach, Sydney Harbour, bays and reefs as key motifs in his work. "The sensuality of the beach in high summer and the clear glistening winter water in June. It's a continuing source of joy to my eyes. And a continuing challenge to try and convey some of those feelings in paint” Ken Done 1999 Ken Done (b 1940) left school at 14 to commence five years of study at the National Art School in East Sydney. After completing his studies Done worked as an art director and designer in New York, London and Sydney. He held his first solo exhibition in Sydney in 1980 and since then has held over 50 solo exhibitions in New York, London and Sydney. Done's works have also been shown in the Archibald, Sulman, Wynne, Blake and Dobell Prizes. In 1992 Done received the Order of Australia (AM) for services to Art, design and Tourism. In 1999 Done was asked to create a series of works for the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Ken Done Lives and works in Sydney.SignificanceKen Done's paintings celebrate Australian's infatuation with Sydney Harbour, bays, reef and beach as ideal settings for leisure.