Experience Gold Coast has today announced the Gold Coast’s flagship contemporary arts festival Bleach is set to enter an exciting new chapter with the announcement of Guest Artistic Director, highly acclaimed Australian artist, Michael Zavros, to lead the festival for 2025.
Michael Zavros is excited to take the helm of Bleach Festival and continue its legacy of showcasing boundary-pushing art in unexpected places. “I’m so excited to join Bleach Festival for 2025. In many ways the Gold Coast made me the artist that I am today, when I was growing up there were no festivals like Bleach. 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 has received several prestigious awards, including the Mosman Art Prize (2016), the inaugural Bulgari Art Award through the Art Gallery of New South Wales (2012), and The Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (2010), the world’s richest prize for portraiture. Zavros’ accolades continue with three major Australian drawing prizes including the Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (2002), the Robert Jacks Drawing Prize (2005) and the Kedumba Drawing Award (2007), and he has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize on several occasions.
Zavros’ appointment comes on the back of a major solo exhibition The Favourite at GOMA in 2023. A Griffith University, Queensland College of Art graduate, his work has also been exhibited extensively around the world. Having been the recipient of several international residencies, he is represented in major collections such as the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art, Artbank, National Portrait Gallery, as well as the HOTA Gallery as part of the HOTA Collects: Direction Exhibition.
Experience Gold Coast Board Member and founder of Bleach Festival, Louise Bezzina said the announcement of Michael Zavros will offer fresh perspectives. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael and see his unique vision and creativity to guide the festival into an exciting new era. Bleach Festival 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."
Stepping into the role ahead of the festival’s 14th anniversary, Zavros brings a fresh vision that promises to further elevate Bleach Festival as one of Australia’s premier cultural events.
Scheduled to take place from 30 July to 10 August 2025, the Bleach Festival will once again transform the Gold Coast with a dynamic program of music, dance, food, culture and immersive experiences. Over twelve days, the festival will activate iconic local places and spaces, and feature the Gold Coast’s own arts precinct HOTA, Home of the Arts as the epicentre with bold performances and inspiring collaborations.
Experience Gold Coast, Head of Arts and Culture, Yarmila Alfonzetti said “The invitation to a practicing visual artist of Michael’s calibre speaks to the ambition that Experience Gold Coast holds for our Arts & Culture portfolio. Artists help us to view the world in new and interesting ways; Michael will no doubt open our eyes, ears and senses to a distinctive and spectacular celebration of art, music, food and place. I am very excited by the opportunity that his appointment presents for the HOTA Precinct and, in particular our beautiful Gallery. Watch this space!”
Bleach Festival will feature a range of performances, installations and creations that engage with the city’s natural environment, with an emphasis on storytelling, innovation, and community.
The full program, which promises to be a spectacular fusion where art meets music in bold and wonderful ways, will be announced in 2025. Locals and visitors to the region can expect an array of new commissions, partnerships, and experiences that reflect Zavros’ forward-thinking artistic vision.
ENDS
CONTACT
Danielle Ford | 0487 002 022 | ford@hota.com.au
Kesha West | 0432 862 727 | kwest@majoreventsgc.com
Images available for download HERE.
THE LATEST
News
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.