130 VIRGIN AUSTRALIA DECEMBER 2017
CREATIVE SPIRIT
CHILD PRODIGY
“If we’re talking ‘isms’, my work is probably better described as narcissism,”
says Brisbane artist Michael Zavros in his new self-titled monograph.
Like his art, the hardcover title is a thing of beauty — 196 pages of glossy
reproductions of his work, from gilded interior design to his interest in
still-life flower arrangements — and points to his prolific nature.
Despite the time his work demands, Zavros just keeps on creating,
afording him the authority to silence any critics who might dismiss the
realer-than-life paintings as having only surface value. The artist’s oil-
on-canvas pieces beg you to look closer, drawing you in with their
resplendent, detail-rich brushstrokes, only to reveal something
greater than you realised at first glance. “My work is very much reflective
of a hyper awareness of who I am and where I come from,” he says.
This meld of rich ideas and traditional technical skill has earned Zavros
a spot in just about every major collection in Australia in recent years, a feat
not typically aforded to mid-career artists, as well as sold-out commercial
shows this year in Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.MICHAEL ZAVROS
“Establishing the company was an opportunity
for me to connect with young people from all
around Australia. I had the chance to travel to
rural areas throughout the country, teaching
students about computer science, creativity
and entrepreneurship,” says Pabari.
“My vision is to give every single young
person, regardless of their age, gender or
postcode, the opportunity to access world-
class education. This comes from my own
experiences as a disengaged student.
“I realised working with students in capital
cities is important, but visiting and connecting
with kids in more disadvantaged communities
and inspiring them to learn is something that
I feel obliged to contribute to the Australian
ecosystem. We look forward to ensuring
we really are creating a generation of young
people that want to create the world we
live inAt just 14, Taj Pabari founded educational IT
social enterprise Fiftysix Creations. Now, the
17-year-old employs 10 full-time sta, and
was the 2017 Young Queenslander of the Year.The Melbourne-born International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) was awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for its work
in advancing the negotiations that led to the first treaty to ban nuclear weapons, which was passed earlier this year by the United Nations.
ICAN is a coalition of grassroots non-governmental groups in more than 100 nations and is now based in Geneva. The United States,
Russia, China, Britain and France all stayed out of the talks, while Australia is yet to sign the treaty.PEACE CAMPAIGNERS
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
Taj Pabari
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