Over 80 works by Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee have joined the national collection – making the National Gallery of Australia home to one of the largest collections of garments by one of the most influential creative pairings in Australia’s cultural history.
This significant acquisition includes key pieces and ensembles from Kee and Jackson’s personal collections including some works generously gifted by the artists themselves to the Australian people.
Known for their bold silhouettes and dynamic prints inspired by the Australian landscape, flora and fauna, Kee and Jackson are two of Australia’s most iconic and enduring fashion designers. The collection of over 80 works acquired by the National Gallery demonstrate the breadth and depth of their iconic design careers.
With individual careers spanning over four decades, the new acquisition includes vibrant early designs by both Kee and Jackson highlighting their shared passion for colour and geometric form. Some of the garments were inspired by multidisciplinary artist Sonia Delaunay who they had a mutual love for, and a selection are now on display in Kamberri/Canberra in the exhibition Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay.
Included in the acquisition are rare hand-painted silks, vibrantly patterned knitwear and original designs that defined their art. Highlights include Kee’s signature knitwear, in particular her formative Art Knit Series of 1976, known as ARTISTE and an important group of works from Jackson’s personal collection that she designed between the late 1960s until the early 2000s which demonstrate her innovative approach to traditional techniques and textile design.
Kee and Jackson first joined forces in the 1970s, when Jackson begin selling her designs through Kee’s iconic Flamingo Park boutique in Sydney’s Strand Arcade. The duo shared a mutual love for the Australian environment and vintage clothing and soon developed a distinct voice in fashion through their inventive garments and bold prints. Their creative collaboration led to unique designs that became recognisable not only in Australia but across the world.
Kee and Jackson’s creations were entirely their own, independent of the conventional marketplace and fashion trends, and proved influential on the international stage. Though their formal partnership ended in 1992 and Flamingo Park closed in 1995, the last four decades has demonstrated their continued success as independent artists.
“Our work has always been about storytelling, nature and the spirit of Australia – expressed through fabric, form and feeling. These garments hold memories, and we are thrilled that our designs, our story and our creative partnership will be shared with visitors to the National Gallery for generations to come,” said Linda Jackson.
“Our creative journey together and as individual artists has always been about honouring the beauty of the land and artistic expression through fashion. Our creations are love letters to Australia, and it is a great joy to know that through this acquisition, they will be preserved for future generations to enjoy at the National Gallery,” said Jenny Kee.
In 1985, the pair were the focus of the first exhibition at the National Gallery focused solely on women artists, titled, Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee: Flamingo Park and Bush Couture 20 April 1985 – Feb 1986. Nearly 40 years later and to celebrate the launch of the Know My Name gender equity initiative, their work also featured in the landmark exhibition Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now in 2020-22.
“Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee are true pioneers, their work brought the Australian fashion world to life in the 1970s and they continue to influence our culture today,” said Adam Lindsay, Deputy Director, National Gallery.
“The National Gallery is honoured to share and maintain their legacy through these significant additions to the national collection, which is now home to one of the most comprehensive collections of their works in the world.”
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay is a Know My Name project, the National Gallery initiative celebrating the work of all women artists to enhance understanding of their contribution to Australia’s cultural life.
Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay is on display until July 2026, with a planned changeover in November 2025 to showcase more items from this acquisition. For more information, visit: www.nga.gov.au for details.
Image: Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson with Know My Name: Kee, Jackson and Delaunay, installation view, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/ Canberra, 2025