On the night of 31 May 1942, three Japanese midget submarines entered the waters of Sydney Harbour – the surprise attack resulted in chaos and panic in the nation’s largest and oldest city and left an indelible mark on Australian identity and the course of our history. 2012 is the 70th Anniversary of these events, and mark this important anniversary, Mosman Art Gallery has commissioned artist Ken Done to interpret and respond to this remarkable story.

In a new series of fourteen powerful and evocative paintings, Ken Done explores these historical events and their impact on Australian society. The resulting exhibition ATTACK: Japanese midget submarines in Sydney Harbour is a compelling and culturally sensitive body of work that deals with themes of empire, self-sacrifice, death, destruction and honour.

• ABC 7.30 Report speaks with Ken Done at his studio
• Ken Done ventures into darker waters to honour Sydney’s brush with war – Andrew Taylor, SMH, 6 May 2012
• Brunch with Simon Marnie – ABC Radio, 20 May 2012
• ‘Done’s latest paintings his best yet’ – Daily Telegraph, 19 May 2012
• ‘Sydney a constant source of inspiration’ – Broadsheet Sydney, 18 May 2012
• Done’s dark side – Mosman Daily, 13 May 2012
• The resurrection of Ken Done – SMH, 25 May 2012
• ‘These are urgent works, and among the best works the artist has completed’ – Studio International, 27 June 2012
• Myf Warhurst speaks with Ken Done – ABC1, 4 July 2012
• The iconic Ken Done – Sunrise, Yahoo!7 TV

Ken Done talks about his work