The Guardian: Ken Done: ‘I’ll never be as good as a five-year-old’

The Guardian: Ken Done: ‘I’ll never be as good as a five-year-old’

2022-05-23

Article by: by Neha Kale. Photograph: Carly Earl/The Guardian

NAS Alumni Ken Done has been alive to sensory details for as long as he can recall. As a boy, the artist spent a large part in Maclean, a small fishing town in New South Wales’s Clarence Valley. There, he pored over encyclopaedias, hypnotised by pictures of butterflies. He listened to The Argonauts Club, a long-running children’s program on ABC Radio. He observed shifts in the Clarence River, one of Australia’s largest waterways. These early impressions formed him.

“I was an only child who liked to paint and my mother was very encouraging,” says Done, now 81. “We were quite poor. If you lived in a country town as I did, you had to make a lot of your own fun. When the river was in flood, it was this wonderful khaki colour.” He grins. “It used to have big clumps of bright green and blue hyacinths floating down.”

Read Full Article

Congratulations to our recent BFA graduate Samuel Chan (@__szwc), who has been named one of three recipients of the ‘most exceptional’ prize at the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards.

Now in its 16th year, the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards offers the largest prize pool for emerging artists in Australia and is part of PICA’s ‘Hatched: National Graduate Show’. To be part of ‘Hatched’ exhibition is an honour as it showcases the next generation of Australia’s contemporary creative voices, presenting artworks by 23 outstanding art school graduates from across the country.

Sam’s award-winning installation work includes `At Eventuality’s End` - an evocative sculptural piece previously featured in our ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy ‘exhibition as well as the NAS Grad Show.

Inspired by our alumni success stories? Join our Open Day on 6 September to explore your own creative path and get application-ready with one-on-one consultation sessions. (Link in bio)

--
(In order of appearance in the video)

`Embrace`, 2024, resin, stainless steel hook, Conte crayon, 47 x 14.5 x 9.5cm

‘Transfiguration’, 2024, Chillagoe White Pearl marble, mild steel, incense, 172 x 26 x 26cm

`Noose`, 2024, resin, graphite, titanium rod, 30 x 14 x 5cm

`At Eventuality`s End`, 2024, hand-dyed paper, wire mesh, mild steel rod, 255 x 80 x 60cm

Image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Jennifer Leahy (@silversalt_photography)

@pica_perth

View Instagram post by nas_au

Aug 19

Open post by nas_au with ID 17898579813255911

Congratulations to our recent BFA graduate Samuel Chan (@__szwc), who has been named one of three recipients of the ‘most exceptional’ prize at the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards.

Now in its 16th year, the Dr Harold Schenberg Arts Awards offers the largest prize pool for emerging artists in Australia and is part of PICA’s ‘Hatched: National Graduate Show’. To be part of ‘Hatched’ exhibition is an honour as it showcases the next generation of Australia’s contemporary creative voices, presenting artworks by 23 outstanding art school graduates from across the country.

Sam’s award-winning installation work includes 'At Eventuality’s End' - an evocative sculptural piece previously featured in our ‘Queer Contemporary: Chaosophy ‘exhibition as well as the NAS Grad Show.

Inspired by our alumni success stories? Join our Open Day on 6 September to explore your own creative path and get application-ready with one-on-one consultation sessions. (Link in bio)

--
(In order of appearance in the video)

'Embrace', 2024, resin, stainless steel hook, Conte crayon, 47 x 14.5 x 9.5cm

‘Transfiguration’, 2024, Chillagoe White Pearl marble, mild steel, incense, 172 x 26 x 26cm

'Noose', 2024, resin, graphite, titanium rod, 30 x 14 x 5cm

'At Eventuality's End', 2024, hand-dyed paper, wire mesh, mild steel rod, 255 x 80 x 60cm

Image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Jennifer Leahy (@silversalt_photography)

@pica_perth

We’re Hiring!

Painting Technician - Application Deadline Sunday 7 September
Under the direction of the Head of Painting and lecturing staff of the department, the Painting Technician is responsible for the resourcing, maintenance and upkeep of the studios and equipment of the department; the implementation of effective studio process and procedures, and the demonstration/monitoring of safe and appropriate use of studio equipment and resources. The Painting Technician is responsible for resourcing and supporting the delivery of all Painting programs including Degree Programs, Public Programs short courses, and Education Outreach programs and workshops.

Sales and Events Coordinator - Application Deadline Sunday 7 September
The Sales and Events Coordinator plays a key role in promoting and coordinating commercial venue hire at the National Art School (NAS), located on a unique and historic heritage-listed campus in Darlinghurst. The role is responsible for managing client enquiries, preparing event plans and quotes, and ensuring client needs are clearly scoped and communicated — without exceeding agreed service levels or budgets.

Facilities Assistant – Application Deadline Sunday 31 August
The Facilities Assistant provides general facilities support across the campus heritage buildings, undertaking all general maintenance on buildings, grounds, plant, and equipment, as well as preventative maintenance. Work is planned through maintenance schedules as well as daily reactive work, prioritising and escalating urgent matters as appropriate. If you’re practical, reliable, and ready to contribute to a creative, purpose-driven environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Visit the link in bio to learn more.

View Instagram post by nas_au

Aug 18

Open post by nas_au with ID 18116875747497505

We’re Hiring!

Painting Technician - Application Deadline Sunday 7 September
Under the direction of the Head of Painting and lecturing staff of the department, the Painting Technician is responsible for the resourcing, maintenance and upkeep of the studios and equipment of the department; the implementation of effective studio process and procedures, and the demonstration/monitoring of safe and appropriate use of studio equipment and resources. The Painting Technician is responsible for resourcing and supporting the delivery of all Painting programs including Degree Programs, Public Programs short courses, and Education Outreach programs and workshops.

Sales and Events Coordinator - Application Deadline Sunday 7 September
The Sales and Events Coordinator plays a key role in promoting and coordinating commercial venue hire at the National Art School (NAS), located on a unique and historic heritage-listed campus in Darlinghurst. The role is responsible for managing client enquiries, preparing event plans and quotes, and ensuring client needs are clearly scoped and communicated — without exceeding agreed service levels or budgets.

Facilities Assistant – Application Deadline Sunday 31 August
The Facilities Assistant provides general facilities support across the campus heritage buildings, undertaking all general maintenance on buildings, grounds, plant, and equipment, as well as preventative maintenance. Work is planned through maintenance schedules as well as daily reactive work, prioritising and escalating urgent matters as appropriate. If you’re practical, reliable, and ready to contribute to a creative, purpose-driven environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Visit the link in bio to learn more.

Which is the deadliest of ringers? 👀

First year BFA Photomedia students opened `Dead Ringers: Photographic Remake` exhibition on Thursday.

The exhibition continues until this Saturday in the Hoff Space. Visit us this weekend to explore 45 photographs that take Jean-Luc Godard`s words as one of the creative prompts: `It’s not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to."

The Rayner Hoff Project Space will be open from 11am–5pm. Don`t forget to also visit `The Neighbour at the Gate` in NAS Gallery, now open on Sundays 11am-5pm.

View Instagram post by nas_au

Aug 14

Open post by nas_au with ID 18334169713206328

Which is the deadliest of ringers? 👀

First year BFA Photomedia students opened 'Dead Ringers: Photographic Remake' exhibition on Thursday.

The exhibition continues until this Saturday in the Hoff Space. Visit us this weekend to explore 45 photographs that take Jean-Luc Godard's words as one of the creative prompts: 'It’s not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to."

The Rayner Hoff Project Space will be open from 11am–5pm. Don't forget to also visit 'The Neighbour at the Gate' in NAS Gallery, now open on Sundays 11am-5pm.

Early Round Applications close in 9 days!

All students are encouraged to apply to our Early Admissions Round before 21 August 2025 to secure their place.

Applications for the School Recommendation Scheme close on 4 October. If you`re applying for a scholarship, be sure to submit your application by this deadline as well.

At NAS Open Day take an inside look into art school life. Visit open studios and participate in creative workshops and get application ready with a one-on-one portfolio consultation and information session. (Link in bio)

Music by NAS Alum @harrison_chao

View Instagram post by nas_au

Aug 12

Open post by nas_au with ID 17956549112977712

Early Round Applications close in 9 days!

All students are encouraged to apply to our Early Admissions Round before 21 August 2025 to secure their place.

Applications for the School Recommendation Scheme close on 4 October. If you're applying for a scholarship, be sure to submit your application by this deadline as well.

At NAS Open Day take an inside look into art school life. Visit open studios and participate in creative workshops and get application ready with a one-on-one portfolio consultation and information session. (Link in bio)

Music by NAS Alum @harrison_chao

Exciting news! Thanks to Creality (@creality_anz), the National Art School is now equipped with the latest 3D printers and equipment.

This semester, printmaking lecturer Stephanie Nova Milne has been guiding students as they explore 3D printing in their creative practice, and the results are incredible.

We look forward to seeing what they create next.

View Instagram post by nas_au

Aug 11

Open post by nas_au with ID 18520327645036736

Exciting news! Thanks to Creality (@creality_anz), the National Art School is now equipped with the latest 3D printers and equipment.

This semester, printmaking lecturer Stephanie Nova Milne has been guiding students as they explore 3D printing in their creative practice, and the results are incredible.

We look forward to seeing what they create next.

The Future is creative, and it starts here. Join us for Open Day on 6 September and discover why the National Art School is the art school of choice.* Visit nas.edu.au/open-day for more information.

*Leading art school preferences in UAC 2016-2025.

Music by NAS Alum @harrison_chao

View Instagram post by nas_au

Aug 8

Open post by nas_au with ID 18139703098422738

The Guardian: Ken Done: ‘I’ll never be as good as a five-year-old’