KEN DONE:
NO RULES

Sat 13 Sep 2025 - Sun 15 Feb 2026

‘There are no rules. And if there are rules, then you may as well break them.’ – Ken Done 

Ken Done’s paintings have captured public imagination for more than four decades. As one of Australia’s most recognisable artists, Done is beloved for his bold use of colour and vibrant imagery, resulting in paintings which are exuberant celebrations of the world around him.

Done has forged a career unlike any other artist this country has seen, resisting traditional art-world expectations and embracing spontaneity and emotion over rigid technique. At a youthful eighty-five, Ken Done remains true to his personal philosophy – that an artist can and should create their own rules.

Ken Done: No Rules features artworks from the 1980s to today which are largely drawn from Done’s personal collection. In his signature optimistic style, he captures the intimacy of his home and garden through to the majestic grandeur of Australia’s reefs, beaches and coastlines that have made Ken Done a household name.

The exhibition features an exclusive animation showcasing a selection of Ken Done's iconic paintings, offering visitors a deeper immersion into his vibrant universe. Also included is a selection of outfits from Australian designer duo Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales of Romance Was Born from their 2023 collaborative collection Done Zone.

This exhibition is curated in partnership with The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney.  

Dates
Sat 13 Sep 2025 - Sun 15 Feb 2026
Where
Gallery 1
Tickets
Adult $21
Concession $18
HOTA Members $16
Child (0-4 years) Free
Youth (5-15 years) $11
Family (2 Adults, 2 Children) $54
Any Day Any Time $27
Season Pass $44
Group (10+) $10 per person

A $4 transaction fee will apply for e ticket delivery purchases (excluding free events + donations).For Hold at Box Office ticket delivery purchases, a $6 fee will apply.Please view full Terms and Conditions prior to purchasing your tickets.

Ken Done, Thinking about a Sunday dive, 2024, oil and acrylic on linen. Courtesy of Ken Done Gallery

Ken Done, Sunday reef, 2024, oil and acrylic on linen. Courtesy of Ken Done Gallery

Ken Done, Exam, 2017, oil and acrylic on linen. Courtesy of Ken Done Gallery

Ken Done, Chinamans Beach from the studio, 2005, acrylic on board. Courtesy of Ken Done Gallery

Ken Done, Chinamans Beach, 1985, oil on canvas. Courtesy of Ken Done Gallery

Ken Done, From The Cabin, 1988, oil on board. Courtesy of Ken Done Gallery


#About the Artist

Born in Sydney in 1940, Ken Done has always considered himself first and foremost a painter. Studies as a teenager at Sydney’s National Art School in the 1950s, followed by an award-winning career in advertising in the 1960s and 70s, prepared Done for his first solo art exhibition in Sydney at the age of 40. Since 1980, Done has held more than 100 solo shows in Australia, Europe, Japan and the USA. He has been a finalist in the Archibald, Sulman, Wynne, Blake, Dobell and Mosman art prizes, and his work is held in institutional, corporate and private collections in Australia and internationally.


Any Day Any Time Tickets

$27

With our Any Day Any Time tickets, you'll be able to use your ticket to visit the exhibition any day, any time - not guaranteed immediate entry, and may need to queue. Limited amount available.

This ticket is only redeemable for a one-time entry.

Season Pass

$44

With a Season Pass, you can visit the exhibition again and again.

Not guaranteed immediate entry, and may need to queue. Limited amount available.

FAQs

#Acknowledgements

Proudly produced by

Major Partners

Partners


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HOTA proudly acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout South East Queensland.

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