9. Tom Polo

Im rubbish 2008

Tom Polograduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting) with Honours from the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, Sydney. He has exhibited in numerous group shows since 2003 and in 2007 he held his first solo exhibition, An Excessive Aesthetic, at Firstdraft Gallery, Sydney. In 2007 Polo was short-listed for the 2007 Qantas Spirit of Youth award and in 2008 he was a finalist in the Churchie National Emerging Art Exhibition.

Tom's recent work addresses contemporary society's inherent desire to be 'the best' and explores what it means to be a 'winner' and by association, what it means to be a 'loser'. I'm Rubbish identifies the nature of 'garbage' both in and around the river city. Referencing not only of waste and pollution but elements of discarded community, the sculptures will appear as both large clusters and single garbage bags around the river and CBD. Tom will be targeting grass patches on the banks of the river as well as more intimate locations like the quiet lane ways in between Parramatta's busy Church St district