Ken Done AM was a successful advertising graphic designer before giving up work to paint full-time in 1980. He opened his first shop in Sydney’s The Rocks two years later, selling his stylised, colourful representations of Sydney’s beaches, harbour, animals and flowers on everything from T-shirts to bedlinen. Done’s art evolved in parallel with his merchandise, and he has featured in more than 100 solo exhibitions. Done has painted several portraits, including this one of Pritzker Prize-winning Australian architect Glenn Murcutt AO (b. 1936), who designed Done’s house in Mosman in 1990. Keen for the portrait to accord with the personal style of his khaki-clad sitter, the artist kept the work very simple. The details of Murcutt’s face are reduced to lidless and browless eyes, nose and lips; the harbour is reflected in his signature half spectacles. Done says wryly that the top of his subject’s head reminds him of the curve of a typical Murcutt roof. Floating in the blue sky are decorative motifs that sit beneath the architect’s name like golden medallions in the shape of the sun and moon.
Gift of the artist 2009. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Ken Done
Ken Done (2 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Iconic Australian artist Ken Done discusses his life and career as a painter.
Award-winning Australian architect, Glenn Murcutt describes the philosophy of his architectural practice and his minimalist portrait by Ken Done.
