Digital Catalogue: 2024 Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award

Michael Zavros

b. 1974 Brisbane QLD, lives Brisbane QLD

Stardust, 2024

digital print on Hahnemühle rag
edition 2/8

Image courtesy of the artist © Michael Zavros

Artist Statement

Stardust 2024 follows on from Homework 2014. It examines the nature in which objects of beauty, prestige and consumption can be incorporated within the fabric of daily life and the potential effect of this on generating consumptive complacency.

Presenting a glossy catalogue-like clarity, the sumptuous Rolls Royce interior is illuminated by the car's ‘starlight’ ceiling; its troubled, tuxedo-clad occupant clearly accustomed to his privilege. As with Homework and my paintings of my children, Stardust presents not so much a portrait of my son Leo but a fictional role-play in an ambiguous ‘prom night’ narrative.

About the Artist

Michael Zavros is a leading Australian artist. He has exhibited widely within Australia and internationally and his work is held in the collections of most major museums within Australia. He was won several prestigious prizes and been awarded five international residencies. He has served on Australia Council, Griffith University and National Association for the Visual Arts boards.

In 2017 Manuscript published the first monograph on Zavros’s work. In 2023 Queensland Art Gallery I Gallery of Modern Art staged a major retrospective of his work The Favourite and in 2025 Dunedin Public Art Gallery will stage a solo exhibition of his work.


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HOTA proudly 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 South East Queensland.

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