Tom Polo uses painting to explore how conversation, gesture and exchange are embodied acts of portraiture. Working between abstraction and figuration, his paintings blur boundaries between the self and others, to mask and unveil the complexities of our inner worlds. Drawing upon acute observation, social encounters and personal histories, Polo’s practice records the emotional and performative relationships between people within social, theatrical and psychological space.
Significant exhibitions include the 2022 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Free State, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide (2022); The National: New Australian Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney (2019) and Primavera 2017: Young Australian Artists, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney (2017). Polo was a finalist in the Ramsay Art Prize, Australia’s premier prize for emerging artists (2021) and has work held in public art collections including Artbank, Australia and Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia.
don't forget to let go
2022
acrylic, Flashe and wax pastel on canvas
213.0 x 198.0 cm
slow ghost (blend in or disappear)
2022
acrylic, Flashe and wax pastel on canvas
213.0 x 198.0 cm
Tom Polo divide in the dark (no less, no you), 2022 acrylic Flashe and wax pastel on canvas 182 x 138cm Photograph Mark Pokorny
facts and feelings
2023
acrylic, Flashe and wax pastel on canvas
182.0 x 138.0 cm
tricky mirror
2022
acrylic, Flashe and wax pastel on canvas
213.0 x 396.0 cm, two parts
bloom (other sides of you)
2022
acrylic, Flashe and wax pastel on canvas
213.0 x 198.0 cm
Tom Polo
FRIEZE SEOUL
2023
Installation view
photo: Sung Hyun Sohn
2022 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Free/State
Saul Steed
2022 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Free/State
Saul Steed
exit strategy
exit strategy
STATION, Sydney
SS
Death to doubt
Leg to stand on (i)
FRIEZE SEOUL
2023
Installation view
photo: Sung Hyun Sohn
stains, stages, strangers
tricky mirror
2022
installation view
Photo: Josh Hourigan
Installation view
Installation view
Installation view
Quarantine Art Fair
Naarm / Melbourne
9 Ellis Street
South Yarra, Victoria 3141
Australia
+61 3 9826 2470
Gadigal / Sydney
91 Campbell Street
Surry Hills, New South Wales 2010
Australia
+61 2 9055 4688
