Well known for his hyper-realistic paintings, and more recently for photography, sculpture, film and

performance, the work of Michael Zavros has been collected by major museums and private collections

the world over. In this stunning debut monograph are more than 120 beautifully reproduced works, as well

as essays from some of the art world’s leading figures.

Lavishly produced, this tome beautifully captures the public’s fascination with artists as celebrities,

elucidating what is at the core of his creativity. Included in the book are the various bodies of

work that make up Zavros’ broad artistic practice, including his interest in still-life arrangements, self-

portraiture, men’s fashion, Greek mythology and gilded interior design. Quotes from and interviews

with the artist are peppered throughout, further shedding light on the methods and ideas behind his

standout, award-winning work.

Michael Zavros is a leading Australian artist. His work is held in numerous private and public

collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery

of South Australia, Queensland Art Gallery, University of Queensland Art Museum, Artbank and the

National Portrait Gallery. In 2012 Zavros was awarded the inaugural Bulgari Art Award through the Art

Gallery of New South Wales. In 2016 he won the Mosman Art Prize, and in 2010 he was awarded the

Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, the world’s richest prize for portraiture. He has won three major

Australian drawing prizes: the 2002 Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award, the 2005 Robert Jacks

Drawing Prize and the 2007 Kedumba Drawing Award. He has been a multiple Archibald Prize finalist

and was the recipient of the 2004 Museum of Contemporary Art Primavera Collex Art Award. Zavros is

represented by Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane and Starkwhite, Auckland.

The Australian War Memorial unveil two portraits by Michael Zavros of Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith.

The performance entitled Forty is an extension of the solo exhibition presented at The Melbourne Art Fair.

The suite of paintings includes a still life featuring stems of gladioli flowers arranged in a vase and inverted to resemble an octopus. A Rolls-Royce takes a similar approach with standard poodles arranged to conjure up a classic Rolls-Royce. Witty in their allusions to art history, these new works are a melange of baroque and pop influences. They also provide an exhibition setting for Forty, an artist-directed performance using a Wraith displayed as a readymade artwork, set to take the stage as a performer along with Zac and Jordan Stenmark.

The performance marks a moment in time. Three days after the fair closes Zavros will turn 40, a milestone he has chosen to mark with flair. The models will offer chocolate gold coins embossed with the artist’s signature monogram and birth date, seemingly eternally sourced from the Rolls-Royce to an assembled audience. The chocolates will appear in abundance and be proffered, with quiet ceremony, as a gift.

Age is the enemy of youth and beauty; still life painting is the very evocation of time stilled. Embedded in the performance and in the mien of the beautiful men offering these sweet morsels is the acknowledgement of time’s inexorable movement. Unlike painting, which will endure and cheat the passage of time, the nature of performance is fleeting and temporary.
http://www.artcollector.net.au/VideoInterviewMichaelZavros

V12/Narcissus, 2009, 20 x 29.5cm, oil on board, collection Art Gallery of New South Wales

Runner up 2009 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize and curated into numerous exhibitions including Scott Redford Vs Michael Zavros at the Institute of Modern Art, V12/Narcissus 2009 has just been acquired by the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Dr Michael Brand, director of the gallery says V12/Narcissus 2009 will make an excellent companion to the Bulagri Award winning The new Round Room 2012.