It is with great elation that we share the featured artwork for our 2025 festival poster and branding.
Each year we partner with a local artist to amplify our core message: that the Central Coast oozes creativity. This artist may not use words to share their message, but the impact is just as strong.
‘Artificial Nature 1‘ by Luke Shadbolt is striking. It’s unsettling. It lingers in your mind. It asks questions. We hope you love it as much as we do… we can’t wait to see a lot of it this year, on all our wonderful posters and social media graphics!
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Luke Shadbolt is a multidisciplinary artist from North Avoca on the NSW Central Coast. His affinity for the environment was formed through a childhood immersed in nature, particularly the ocean.
His sculptural and abstract images seek to convey the sublime in nature, from the everyday to the extreme. He explores the duality and balance found in the patterns and cycles that occur between elemental spheres.
His work has been exhibited extensively across Australia and Europe and has been purchased by collectors both nationally and internationally – with a particularly strong international following, a rarity for most contemporary Australian Artists.
With a background in Graphic design, art direction, publishing and commercial photography, Luke has created campaigns for companies including Qantas, Lancome, Audi and Michael Kors.
Career highlights include being acquired by the collection of the Parliament of Australia in 2018, being chosen as a top 20 exhibitor of Photo London 2017 by Brian May (of Queen fame), being involved in WALLPOWER, a group exhibition of contemporary Australian photography currently touring Europe and his continued work with charitable organisations (such as take3forthesea, the surfrider foundation and parley.tv). He is represented by Michael Reid Gallery (Sydney and Berlin).
(Bio photo with thanks to Central Coast Life & Style and Luke Shadbolt)
KEY DATES
19 FEBRUARY 2025
First Festival author + THEME sneak peek
21 FEBRUARY 2025
Volunteer Call-out closes
26 FEBRUARY 2025
Festival Early Birds Ticketing release & second author sneak peek
15 MARCH 2025
Words at Wagstaffe, a one-day literary celebration
26 MARCH 2025
Opening Address lineup & ticketing release
2 APRIL 2025
Festival Program & ticketing release
4 APRIL 2025
Central Coast Reads Author Talk: Catherine Jinks
9 APRIL 2025
The Dip Program & ticketing release
28 MAY – 1 JUNE 2025
Words on the Waves Writers Festival!
