Renowned Kiama artist, Ken Tucker, will be one of the major features at a Drought Angels Fundraiser to be held in Forbes on October 20.
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Ken and his wife Lea, raised their family in Dubbo and Narromine, before moving to Kiama about eight years ago.
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Many of Ken’s paintings are part of private and corporate collections in central west NSW.
Because of their strong ties with the region, Ken and Lea said “it was a no-brainer” to say they would assist with the fundraiser for farmers affected by drought.
“Ken has spent the majority of his working career in both finance and the arts throughout rural and regional north western NSW,” Lea Tucker said.
The opportunity came after Ken’s son Ashley, owner of the Forbes Golf Club Hotel, was approached by the Drought Angels to host a major fundraiser for the local community.
“He asked his Dad if he would volunteer to paint live at the event, and donate the artwork for auction – Ken didn’t hesitate to be involved,” Mrs Tucker said.
“Like so many others, Ken felt this was an opportunity to give back to the community of which the farming sector is the absolute backbone.
“These are the families, who over the years have shown Ken support by commissioning his art pieces, sent their children for art lessons and supported the local art exhibitions.”
Ken hopes to show the arts community cares deeply about the plight of others.
“This was a chance to contribute in a very positive way utilising my art skills and talent,” he said.
Ken is well known for his ‘live painting’ gigs, which he has been doing since 2005.
Organisers of the Drought Angels Fundraiser are anticipating up to 500 people will attend on the evening of October 20, to watch Ken draft and paint a large blank canvas to a finished work of art in a specified timeframe.
During the painting session, guests stand behind and watch, talk and even at times offer advice to Ken. The entire time he has to maintain his focus, and ensure the practicalities are correct.
The largest audience Ken has ever painted live in front of was 1500 guests at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre for a St Patrick’s Day celebration.
Over many years, Ken has seen the joy, guests and observers get from watching him turn a blank canvas into an artwork.
“By painting on the night, hopefully it will add to the entertainment of the evening, and give everyone a bit of happy reprieve from the continuing worries of the daily ongoing drought,” he said.
“I have always relished painting our country’s landscapes, whether en plein or in the studio, so to paint a local landscape for the fundraiser in front of many who have walked, and worked on that particular landscape is a privilege.”
Ken has won significant regional art awards, taught in more than 40 public schools, ran art workshops, continues to exhibit, aid in art events, teach privately, do art demonstrations, and judge art competitions.
