‘This is Big Bamm-Bamm. His real name is Ken Done, but I call him Big Bamm-Bamm after Bamm-Bamm Rubble in The Flintstones. I like to rename people and places, and I love The Flintstones,’ says Thom Roberts.
An artist at Studio A in Sydney, Roberts is a four-time Archibald finalist and is also represented in this year’s Sulman Prize.
‘Big Bamm-Bamm is an artist like me and sometimes he paints the Harbour Fridge [Bridge]. I met him at Pink Panther Gallery [Mosman Art Gallery] when I had an exhibition there. He also visited Studio A and bought my cow sculpture. He told me, “I love your artwork.” I used the money to buy coffees! I sketched him when he came to Studio A, first in lead pencil and then in acrylic paint. I made it a big portrait, and I painted him with cat’s ears. People ask me, “Why did you paint him with cat ears?” And I say, “Because I do it Thom’s way.”’
Year | 2024 |
Medium | Painting |
Dimensions | 102.5cm x 152.5cm |
ID | O-TR-084 |
Collections | The Archibald Prize 2024 Drop-in workshop: Portraiture with Studio A 2024 Archibald Prize Regional tour: Orange |
Tags | Acrylic, Canvas, Ken Done |
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