29 JULY 2016

FOUNDATION REACHES APPEAL TARGET FOR MICHAEL ZAVROS BAD DAD

The 2016 Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Foundation Appeal has secured the striking self‑portrait Bad dad 2013 by Queensland artist Michael Zavros for the Gallery’s Collection.

Since launching in April 2016, 170 donations have been received in support of the Appeal.

QAGOMA Foundation President Tim Fairfax AC said he was delighted with the generosity of benefactors who ensured the success of the campaign.

The Appeal also attracted donations from other supporters, including a number of first-time donors to the Gallery.

QAGOMA Director Chris Saines CNZM said it was the first time a work by a contemporary Queensland artist had been the sole focus of a QAGOMA Foundation Appeal.

‘The acquisition of Michael Zavros’s intriguing painting strengthens our holdings of work by this outstanding artist and our collection of contemporary Australian art,’ he said.

Mr Saines identified allusions in the poolside scene of Bad dad to the ancient Greek myth of Narcissus, the legendary hunter who becomes trapped in a fascination with his own reflection and self‑image.

‘Michael was overseas at the Palazzo Barberini in Rome, home of Caravaggio’s Narcissus when he was first inspired to create the work,’ Mr Saines said.

Bad dad 2013 will remain on display on level 2 of GOMA until 30 October 2016.

Michael Zavros was born in 1974 and studied at the Queensland College of Art. He has exhibited in Australia and internationally and his work has been collected by major Australian museums. He has won numerous art prizes including the 2010 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize and the inaugural 2012 Bulgari Art Award.

Michael has a long-standing relationship with QAGOMA and curated an exhibition of works from the Collection titled ‘A Private Collection: Artist’s Choice’ in 2013. In 2015, Bad dad was a highlight of the exhibition ‘GOMA Q: Contemporary Queensland Art’.

The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Foundation is the primary fundraising body of the Gallery. Since its establishment in 1979, the QAGOMA Foundation has raised more than $110 million, enabling the acquisition of more than 7200 artworks and supporting the development of QAGOMA exhibitions, publications and programs.

For more information on the 2016 QAGOMA Foundation Appeal visit www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/2016appeal