Manning Regional Art Gallery's new exhibitions open on 27 May, featuring works from two highly accomplished Australian Artists.
Paintings you probably haven't seen is a brilliant and surprising new touring exhibition from Ken Done, one of Australia's best-known artists and Pen, Print, Paint & Pixel an exhibition from Stephen Michael King, the award-winning author and illustrator whose career has spanned over thirty years.
The Ken Done Gallery presents the touring show Paintings You Probably Haven't Seen: Selected Works 2000 - 2017. This vibrant and playful exhibition brings together a vivid collection of recent and mostly unseen works featured in Ken Done's most recent publication of the same title. It represents many of the artist's favourite and best-loved subjects; the beach, the reef, and portraiture as well as his own personal environment – his garden and Cabin studio in Sydney.
'These paintings were all done since the year 2000. They are sometimes works done on location or sometimes in the studio. And some are just what was in my imagination.' Ken Done, 2017
Pen, Print, Paint & Pixel is an intimate journey into the creative play, exploration and visual language of one of Australia's leading picture book creators. Stephen Michael King has been described as an artist who 'draws from the inside out', and it is this gentle, intuitive truth that gives heart and playfulness to his work.
"Stephen is loved all over the world, but especially on the MidCoast," said Rachel Piercy, Gallery Director.
"We're thrilled to have his exhibition at the Gallery, our kids have grown up with his books, so many local parents have cherished reading them to their children and exploring his illustrations with them so this will be one for young and old and quite a nostalgic experience I'm sure."
Stephen has published more than 100 titles throughout his career and worked with some of Australia's favourite authors.
Both exhibitions will officially open on Saturday 29 May, beginning with a special floor talk from Ken Done at 4pm and official speeches at 6pm. This event is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Gallery and tickets are $15, to find out about more about the official opening and book tickets, head to www.eventbrite.com.au/e/exhibition-openings-ken-done-stephen-michael-king-tickets-153941165169
