Ken Done: Twenty Years Exhibition Opening
Our flagship Richmond gallery was officially launched only a month and a half ago, and what better way to throw ourselves into our exhibition program than donning our walls with bright and bold world of iconic Aussie artist, Ken Done. The Ken Done: Twenty Years exhibition opened on October 6th and runs until October 27th in our Richmond gallery.
Ken at the Ken Done: Twenty Years exhibition. Image by Paul Jeffers, The Age.
Ken Done is one of Australia’s most significant modern artists, encapsulating themes of modern Australiana and exploring the Australian identity. As the name states, Ken Done: Twenty Years draws on Ken’s works from the last two decades, giving us an insight into where his work is going and where it’s been.
Ken’s work has always been, and continues to be, a reflection of the world around us. We see his work on gallery walls, on bed linen and on clothing. And we see Ken’s work representing significant moments for the Arts in this country.
Ken Done and Bluethumb co-founder George Hartley.
Twenty six of Ken’s works are adorning our walls, varying from roomscapes to seascapes, abstract to figurative pieces. Two of the largest pieces of the exhibition, Rainbow Lorikeets, 2019 and Magpies and Lorikeets, 2019 sold on the night, along with several other smaller-scale pieces to our collectors and members of our very own Bluethumb family.
Ken giving his speech at the Ken Done: Twenty Years opening.
We were joined by Ken himself, who lit up the room with his longwinded yet hilarious stories. Bluethumb artists and collectors from across Australia also joined us to celebrate Ken’s life and work. Bluethumb best seller Kate Rogers joined us on the night, alongside many other popular Bluethumb artists, including Alicia Cornwell, Jen Shewring, Lizzie Alsop, Shane Bonsujet and Charlie Nanos.
Ken told us in his speech, “I’m a better painter at 82 than I was at 40, and hopefully one day I’ll be as good as a five-year-old.” And looking around the colourful space, we are reminded of how valuable it is for us to use art as a means of reflection, to appreciate both the simplicity and the complexity of what we see and experience.
Bluethumb co-founders George and Ed Hartley with Ken Done.
“The time in which we live, where there are so many bad things in the world, I think that art should be more like poetry, should give you pleasure over time. I like to make things that are beautiful. I think for me that’s the role of art.” – Ken Done.
Ken Done: Twenty Years is on display in our Melbourne gallery at 330 Bridge Rd, Richmond until October 27th.
Wonderful pics and night…..wish it was local to me! Icon of the industry. Franko
Thank you for great information. I look forward to the continuation.