World-renowned artist Michael Zavros steps into Coast festival frame

An internationally acclaimed artist who grew up on the Gold Coast is returning home to direct a major arts festival that he hopes will “will surprise and inspire audiences”.

Gold Coast arts festival Bleach has landed a major coup, securing acclaimed international artist Michael Zavros as guest artistic director for 2025.

A winner of multiple prestigious art awards – and whose striking photorealist works hang in galleries around the world, including the National Gallery – Zavros lives in Brisbane but grew up on the Coast before leaving to study at the Queensland College of Art.

“In many ways the Gold Coast made me the artist that I am today (and) when I was growing up, there were no festivals like Bleach,” he said.

Artist Michael Zavros will be the artistic director for Bleach in 2025. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“I’m honoured to curate a festival that will surprise and inspire audiences and foster the creative talent that exists on the Gold Coast.”

Zavros – whose accolades include winning the world’s richest portraiture prize, the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize – said he was approached by Bleach Festival founder and Experience Gold Coast board member Louise Bezzina to take on the role.

It followed a foray curating the closing of the 2022 Brisbane Festival with a mythical Greek-themed rooftop party.

“Bleach has always been about pushing boundaries and celebrating the Gold Coast, and we believe Michael is the perfect person to continue that tradition while introducing bold new ideas will resonate with both our community and visitors,” Bezzina said.

Dad likes winter 2020 Lightjet print on C-type paper. Picture: Michael Zavros

Experience Gold Coast head of culture and arts Yarmila Alfonzetti said securing an artist of Zavros’ calibre spoke to the organisation’s ambitions for the Coast’s art scene.

“Artists help us to view the world in new and interesting ways (and) Michael will no doubt open our eyes, ears and senses to a distinctive and spectacular celebration of art, music, food and place,” she said.

Zavros, who directed the opening of HOTA (the Gold Coast’s Home of The Arts) in 2021, said he was “thrilled” to be taking the helm of Bleach.

Michael Zavros with his Mercedes which he transformed into an art installation titled Drowned Mercedes 2023.

“It’s a brave appointment, working with a visual artist who hasn’t directed a festival before, but I think when you want the festival to go somewhere that it’s never been, you just have to go somewhere that you’ve never been,” he said.

“I want to bring something that audiences have never seen, or something that’s completely unexpected.”

Michael Zavros with Drowned Mercedes 2023 at ‘Michael Zavros: The Favourite’, Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane. Photograph: David Kelly / © Michael Zavros

Zavros said he was looking at tapping into themes including the Gold Coast of his youth and his Greek heritage as part of the festival program, while also borrowing “significant” works from overseas galleries.

Some of his own art may also make an appearance.

“Originally I thought no but I am being encouraged to put myself in, and I think that’s a good thing,” he said.

“It’s what I do and it’s what I would love to share with audiences. I think a part of me has to be a part of this.”

Bleach will be held from July 30 to August 10 next year.