Inspired by Italian theatre, Polo will conceptualise the gallery as a stage, structured into five acts, transforming the space into a series of narratives with works that blur boundaries between the self and others to mask and unveil the complexities of our inner worlds. Guiding viewers from exposition to resolution, the audience becomes the central character, actively engaging with various plots throughout the dramatic progression. Much like a choreographed performance, an experimental lighting score will synchronise the gallery’s spotlights and floodlights, adjusting the brightness and adding colour to highlight or conceal parts of the space
The exhibition will also include a survey of existing works, restaged to create a thematic narrative and punctuated by artworks by renowned international artists Tracey Emin, Ugo Rondinone, and Urs Fischer, selected by the artist for their capacity to communicate the unmappable regions of our minds.
Among the revisited works are Polo’s site-specific billboard project, ALL I KNOW (2015); large-scale paintings and design elements from the exhibition I still thought you were looking (2019) at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery; and clockwatch (2021–22), a video animation first presented in the 2022 Adelaide Biennial.
Tom Polo said: “in a part of your mind, I am you comes at a significant moment in my practice where I am interested to circle back on the themes and ideas that have underpinned my thinking over the past fifteen years. Over this time I’ve accumulated an index of gestures and forms in relation to portraiture; I’ve drawn from my own acute observations, encounters and personal histories to consider the emotional undercurrents of our relationships – to ourselves and with others – and to question where we exist, co-exist and ultimately, coalesce”.
Director of Ngununggula Megan Monte said: “We are thrilled to present Tom Polo’s first major institutional show at Ngununggula. Polo will transform the gallery into a dynamic, theatrical space, showcasing both new and past works in a dialogue that generates nuanced and unexpected narratives, exposing the shifting borders between self and others, and intangible exchanges between people”.
ABOUT NGUNUNGGULA
Located within Retford Park, a property of the National Trust (NSW), Ngununggula is a new Regional Gallery in the Southern Highlands, NSW, led by a dedicated team. Ngununggula means ‘belonging’ in the traditional language of the Gundungurra People. With honour and respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Ngununggula aims to achieve an inspiring creative program in name and nature, nurturing a sense of belonging by promoting our region’s cultural vibrancy. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and a new café, Hearth by Moonacres, Ngununggula is positioned to be a destination for the region. With a focus on visual arts, education, artistic practice, and cultural voice, Ngununggula’s program represents the region and beyond through significant exhibitions, artist-led projects, live events, workshops, artist talks, educational activities with local schools, and public programs. Featuring a heritage-sensitive state-of-the-art design by Tonkin Zulaihka Greer, four gallery spaces span the 712m² footprint of the building, including an Entry Pavilion and dedicated education space. The Gallery partners with Wingecarribee Shire Council, the National Trust (NSW), and the State Government of NSW.
ABOUT TOM POLO
