Chris Saines talks painting with Michael Zavros

 

“There is a cocktail of conceits here, drawing, as Zavros does, on the history of art, on fashion, the selfie generation and more.” Chris Saines

Watch the complete interview between Chris Saines and Michael Zavros, and view the work at the top of the escalators on Level 2 at GOMA.

Find out more | Support the Foundation’s 2016 Appeal to acquire Bad dad 2013

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Michael Zavros talks with Director Chris Saines about his painting Bad dad 2013 (pictured on screen), GOMA, April 2016 / Photograph: Mark Sherwood

It was with great delight that Foundation President Tim Fairfax AC and Director Chris Saines CNZM launched the 2016 QAGOMA Foundation Appeal to acquire Michael Zavros’s oil on canvas self-portrait Bad dad 2013 on Friday 22 April 2016, featuring an exclusive interview with the artist.

The discussion with the artist revealed nuances in the work and Zavros’s process. Bad dad, the focus of the Foundation’s Appeal, represents two months of what Zavros describes as ‘technical, hard work’, modelled from carefully constructed photo shoots of the artist staged in the family swimming pool. Draped over a bright white inflatable bunny and accompanied by an entourage of buoyant pool toys, Zavros peers in deep contemplation at his cool, aquatic reflection which he meets – fingers to fingers and arm to arm – in a quiet almost-embrace.

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Michael Zavros in conversation at the launch of the 2016 Appeal / Photograph: Mark Sherwood
ZAVROS, MichaelBad dad290.2015Non-collectionPaintingOil110 x 150cm
Michael Zavros, Australia b.1974 / Bad dad 2013 / Courtesy: The artist and Starkwhite, Auckland / Proposed for the Queensland Art Gallery Collection

Find out more | Support the Foundation’s 2016 Appeal to acquire Bad dad 2013