The Gold Coast’s Bleach Festival is back for 2025 with floating sky whales, Jeff Koons, and three world premieres as part of a new ambitious program.
Acclaimed artist Michael Zavros, known for his detailed photorealistic work, debuts as the festival’s artistic director, with a promise to bring a bold, immersive vision to the festival.
There will be more than 100 events of art, music, visual spectacle, opera, drama, storytelling, and feasting from July 31 to August 10 at three hubs of Kurrawa Park, Home Of The Arts (HOTA). This year Emerald Lakes joins the list of venues.
The haunting sight of sculptural Skywhale and Skywhalepapa in the form of hot-air balloons floating across the Gold Coast at dawn will kick off the festival.
Artist Patricia Piccinini designed the giant figures so that communities could engage with them creatively – so make a morning of it, prepare a picnic, watch in awe from 5am on July 31 as the skywhale family takes flight.
The festival doesn’t hold back – polarising contemporary American artist Jeff Koons known for his sculptures depicting everyday objects like balloon animals, spends a rare evening to talk to Vault editor-in-chief Alison Kubler about his provocative sculptures and unorthodox approach to creativity.
Catch The Ladies Lounge, a pop-up version of the original in Tasmania by artist Kirsha Kaechele who recently won her bid in the state’s Supreme Court to ban men from the installation at the Museum of Old and New Art.
For music lovers, Indigenous rock band Selve will perform their debut album Breaking Into Heaven – the first full-length album recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios by an Indigenous artist – with the backing of a 33-piece orchestra.
For those who prefer to create rather than watch, Michael Zavros will host a Life Drawing class with a faithful replica of Michelangelo’s David.
Zavros’ own work will be incorporated into the festival, including Drowned Mercedes – a customised water-filled 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL, a commentary on consumerism and self-absorption.
He is also collaborating with The Farm director Gavin Webber, on a new work called Cavalcade, an unprecedented fusion of opera and dressage backed by a 24-piece orchestra on Kurrawa beach which will close the festival.
For more information and tickets, click here.
