BLEACH* Festival launches on Gold Coast with Jeff Koons, Ladies Lounge and major arts line-up

BLEACH* Festival has kicked off with eleven days of world-class art featuring Jeff Koons, the viral Ladies Lounge, and more than 20 major works. Here’s what to expect.

Patricia Piccinini and Michael Zavros at the Bleach Festival 2025 launch featuring Skywhales Across Australia at RACV Royal Pines Resort for Gold Coast at Large. Picture, Portia Large.

One of Australia’s premier art festivals kicked off on the Gold Coast with a dramatic start after Patricia Piccinini’s iconic Skywhale sculpture failed to take flight during Thursday’s dawn launch.

BLEACH* Festival opened with the flight of the Skywhales at RACV Royal Pines Resort, well at least that was the plan. Strong westerly winds played havoc with the giant balloons, eventually leading to the premature end of the launch. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

BLEACH* 2025, running 11 days under guest Artistic Director Michael Zavros, opened with First Light: Skywhales Across Australia from Benowa, featuring Piccinini’s beloved hot air balloon sculptures Skywhale and Skywhalepapa.

Adriana (8) and Xavi (12) Bradshaw from the Gold Coast at the BLEACH* 2025 festival launch which featured a "First Light" event where Patricia Piccinini's monumental hot-air balloon sculptures, Skywhale and Skywhalepapa, launched from the RACV Royal Pines Resort at sunrise. Picture: Adam Head.

The sculpture was intended to drift across the city’s skyline at sunrise but instead deflated due to strong westerly winds.

Mayor Tom Tate said at the festival launch: “I know the whales were a bit tired and didn’t quite get right up in the sky, but you get the gist of it that the art comes in all shapes and forms.”

Mayor Tom Tate at the launch of BLEACH* Festival on the Gold Coast. Picture: Rosie Gale

He said people “still got a lot out of it” and festival goers will have plenty more to see and do, with more than 20 major works spanning music, visual art, dance and performance, across both free and ticketed events.

Art world heavyweight Jeff Koons, known for his giant stainless steel balloon dog sculptures and having the highest auction price for a living artist’s work – will feature in an exclusive In Conversation event on Thursday night.

American cartoonist Jeff Koons will appear as part of the BLEACH* Festival line up.

Kirsha Kaechele’s Ladies Lounge – one of the most viral artworks of 2024 – also kicked off Thursday, making its move from Mona in Tasmania to HOTA, following a short period of being mothballed after losing a discrimination court case.

The Gold Coast Bulletin was given a sneak peak of the provocative and opulent – ladies only – Ladies Lounge, making its Gold Coast debut during Bleach at HOTA, Home of the Arts before it opens to the public the next day. Artist Kirsha Kaechele in the Ladies Lounge. Picture: Rosie Gale.

Tora Lopez’s Complaints Department also stands ready to receive any protests.

The festival will also showcase several major new works, supported by the $1.5 million Experience Gold Coast Arts Fund.

These include the world premiere of Breaking Into Heaven, The City Speaks Softly, and Drum As You Are.

BLEACH* is produced by Experience Gold Coast and supported by the Queensland government.