Fiona Lowry

‘I chose to paint Ken Done for the Archibald because his art and design was woven into the fabric of my childhood,’ says Fiona Lowry. Done is an internationally recognised artist known for his paintings, textiles and design work.

‘I remember my mother buying his bedspreads. They felt rich and vibrant, like bringing joy into the home. I used to draw his fish, completely absorbed in their playful shapes and colours that echoed the ocean and my hometown. His frangipanis and hibiscus still sit in my memory as symbols of the changing seasons – of warmth, light, and a uniquely Australian kind of beauty.’
Lowry won the 2014 Archibald Prize for her portrait of architect Penelope Seidler.

‘Portraiture, for me, is about recognising someone’s presence and contribution,’ she says. ‘While Ken’s work has sometimes sat outside the usual conversations around contemporary art, his influence runs deep. His belief that art should be everywhere – not just in galleries, but part of everyday life – has shaped how generations of Australians see, feel and remember.

‘This portrait is a small way of honouring that expansive vision, and the role his work has played in shaping our collective imagination.’