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Ken Done is a household name in Australia, and for good reason. Since his first solo show in 1980, the ever-colourful Sydney-born artist has brought joy and vibrancy to everything he touches – from the walls of Australia’s top galleries to your mum’s tea towels and your best friend’s bucket hat. Now, the youthful 85-year-old painter – best known for his quintessentially Australian landscapes and impressionistic portraits –has painted one of the nation’s most beautiful galleries in colour with a new major exhibition.
Set on the sunny Gold Coast, HOTA, Home of the Arts, will present Ken Done: No Rules from September 13, 2025, to February 15, 2026. Featuring paintings from the 1980s to today, this landmark exhibition captures Done’s enduring love of colour, nature and life – from his joyful, primary-coloured depictions of Australia’s reef, harbour and beaches to more intimate reflections of his Sydney home and garden.
Done said, “I’m delighted to be having such a major exhibition in such a beautiful gallery. To have the chance to see works from over 40 years shown together is very special for me and I hope it brings pleasure to a wide audience.”
Curated in partnership with The Ken Done Gallery, the beloved Australian artist’s first solo exhibition at HOTA unfolds across five distinct themes: Painting in Spades, Private Paradise Show, Between the Flags, Paint the Partnerships and Reef Dreams. It also features an exclusive animated showcase of his most iconic works, along with a selection of dazzling outfits from Done Zone – his 2023 collaborative collection with renowned Australian fashion label Romance Was Born.
After the exhibition wraps up in Feburary 2026, two paintings from Done's personal collection will find a permanent home at HOTA, including Between the flags II & III (1996) and Thinking about a Sunday dive (2024).
Ken Done: No Rules is on display at HOTA, Home of the Arts from September 13, 2025, to February 15, 2026. Tickets are $27, and you can grab yours here.
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