'Michael Zavros' forever young

Michael Zavros must be one of Brisbane’s most celebrated artists right now, with exhibitions
around the world as well as commissions from companies like Hermes. If you haven’t heard of him then you should. His work ranges from amazing realist paintings and sculptures of horses, to his expressions of his love of luxury as well as the narcissism that comes with it.

Born in Brisbane in 1974 before growing up on the Gold Coast, Michael has said he drew everyday of his childhood, so it’s no wonder he graduated from Queensland College of Art with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in 1996. Within ten years of graduating, Michael was winning International arts competitions, as well as doing residencies in Milan and Barcelona, on top of showings in Paris, Hong Kong New York - ‘OH MY’. Pretty amazing if you consider that most artists spend their whole careers trying to get just a glimpse of this kind of acknowledgment, let alone achieving it at the beginning of their career. Don’t get me wrong, Australia has also proudly embraced and bragged about this local boy made good. Michael’s works, on top of being owned by numerous private art collectors, are owned by numerous prestigious art galleries such as The
National Gallery Of Australia, Queensland Art Gallery, University Of Queensland Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and Tasmanian Museum and Gallery just in Australia alone.

This Oil on Board Painting is a self portrait call ' Narcissus' 2005

' Man' Oil on Canvas 210x167 cm painted in 2009

' Falling August' 2006, charcoal on paper, 123 x 86cm

Winning is Easy, Bronze sculpture, 2009

' Forever' Oil On Board, 18x28cm 2005

Oh, and I just have to put this picture of me with the man himself at the 2009 IMA Christmas Party. This was the first time I had met him (I've caught up with him several times since this night) and I'm really working hard on not acting like the giggly school girl who’s in too much in awe to say anything!

This is a fab mini documentary I found called 'The Good Son' that recorded his preparations for an exhibition of fine drawings to be shown on the Gold Coast.

When Easton met Pearson

For the people who know me, you will of course know that I can’t do a blog about Brisbane and fashion and not do at least one on Easton Pearson.

A Brisbane label that started in 1989, this year saw the 20th anniversary of Easton Pearson, which in any industry, let alone fashion, is a milestone.

The way they celebrated was to hold a 20-year retrospective at the Gallery Of Modern Art here in Brisbane.

The exhibition opened on the 28th of November with a very fanciful cocktail party and because it was inconjunction with the start of the annual Brisbane Fashion Festival, everyone who was anyone, or at least thought they were was there. In other words there was a lot of people in attendance.

I definitely thought It was the highlight of the festival.

The exhibition ended last Sunday, but I managed to return a few days before for one last look and brought along my camera to photograph some of my favourite outfits.

So without further ado, here are my photos (I’m still not great with my manual camera and there was no flash allowed)!

"the top is made entirely out of metal sequins and skirt is silk tafetta with metal sequin detailing"


"I call this "The African Princess dress" "

"I call this "The flamenco dress"

"Love it"
"Just a random shot but I do like that coat dress "

Photos of the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art

Last Saturday was the opening of The 6th Asia Pacific Triennial Of Contemporary Art (APT6) For those who are not aware, this is something that Brisbane has been holding every three years since 1993.

The whole premise of APT is to form a closer bond with the countries within our Asia Pacific region, by commissioning and exhibiting works from artists living in said countries. In the past it has been the launch pad for up and coming artisans who would later on be highly successful.

I personally have been going to these exhibitions since 1999 and it's never failed to inspire me. I promised myself not to miss this year's opening weekend as they are always full of activities
and artist talks and I absolutely loved the APT6 line up!

These photos are some of the highlights that I found especially interesting - which makes for quite a bit actually. So grab a coffee or tea first and sit down to browse through my selections of must-sees.

GOMA Director ' Mr Tony Ellwood'

I just want to say that the photo's doesn't justify the true beauty of it in real life.