Known for his extraordinary technical prowess, Michael Zavros has captivated audiences with his sumptuous realist renderings and surreal juxtapositions.

Frequently engrossed in notions of quality and luxury, fashion and appearance, Zavros’s idealised imagery has developed alongside Australia's pronounced turn to conspicuous consumption and aspirational individualism.

‘Michael Zavros: The Favourite’ profiles significant thematic explorations of the artist, including fashion magazines, European palaces, luxury cars, his children, Narcissus and still life, in addition to his self-portraits and reflections upon his heritage. Accompanied by a sold-out catalogue, the exhibition surveys 25 years of painting, sculpture, photography and video by this leading contemporary Queensland artist. 

‘The Favourite’ featured works on loan, as well as works by Zavros from the QAGOMA Collection (listed below).

‘Michael Zavros: The Favourite’ was on display in GOMA’s Galleries 1.1 (The Fairfax Gallery) and 1.2 from 24 June to 2 October 2023. This exhibition offers opportunities for dialogue with ‘eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness’ presented in the adjacent gallery at GOMA.

Feature image: Michael Zavros’s Dad likes summer 2020, installed for ‘The Favourite’, GOMA, July 2023 / Private collection / © Michael Zavros / Photograph: K Bennett, QAGOMA