Ken Done’s Colourful Exhibition Hits HOTA ths September

This September, one of Australia’s most treasured artists, Ken Done, will paint the Gold Coast in bold, unmistakable colour with a major new exhibition at HOTA, Home of the Arts. Ken Done: No Rules is a vibrant celebration of the artist’s decades-long career and his enduring love of painting, colour and freedom of expression.

Set to run from 13 September 2025 through to 15 February 2026, this landmark exhibition invites audiences into Done’s world—a world filled with exuberant brushstrokes, radiant reefs, glittering harbours, and the intimate corners of home and garden life. It’s a deeply personal and joyous show, drawing largely from Done’s own collection and spanning works from the 1980s to today.

Done, now 85 and still painting with fierce vitality, describes the opportunity to exhibit at HOTA as something truly special. “I’m delighted to be having such a major exhibition in such a beautiful gallery,” he said. “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.”

Pleasure is certainly what Ken Done: No Rules promises. With his fearless use of colour and his belief in creative freedom, Done has spent more than four decades capturing the spirit of Australia through paint. From the vibrant hues of the Great Barrier Reef to the reflective calm of his own garden, his work radiates a sense of optimism that’s hard to miss—and even harder not to be moved by.

The exhibition is curated in partnership with The Ken Done Gallery, Sydney, and aligns beautifully with HOTA’s commitment to showcasing exceptional art that resonates with audiences of all ages. “Ken Done’s work has long been a part of the fabric of Australian visual culture, and it’s a joy to bring this expansive and deeply personal exhibition to the Gold Coast,” said Experience Gold Coast’s Head of Arts and Culture, Yarmila Alfonzetti.

Done’s philosophy is simple and powerful: “That an artist can—and should—create their own rules.” It’s this mindset that has driven his work over the years and now takes centre stage in this bold new showing. Whether you’re a long-time admirer or discovering his work for the first time, Ken Done: No Rules is a chance to witness the breadth of his artistic journey—one where rules are optional and colour reigns supreme.

Visitors can expect not only an extraordinary display of paintings, but also new and immersive ways to engage with Done’s work. A captivating animation of some of his most iconic pieces will bring his universe to life in unexpected ways, drawing the eye and imagination even deeper into his colourful world.

In a vibrant meeting of art and fashion, the exhibition will also showcase dazzling garments from Done Zone, the 2023 collaborative collection between Ken Done and the Australian fashion label Romance Was Born. These bold fashion pieces stand as wearable testaments to Done’s belief in cross-disciplinary creativity and the joy of unexpected partnerships.

And for those wanting to take a piece of the experience home, an exclusive Ken Done retail range will be available at the HOTA Shop for the duration of the exhibition.

Ken Done has always done things his own way. His work speaks of freedom, joy, and a kind of playful rebellion. “There are no rules,” he says. “And if there are rules, then you may as well break them.” Ken Done: No Rules is a fitting tribute to that spirit—a spirited, radiant offering that invites us all to see the world through Done’s eyes: bright, open, and full of possibility.