The 2009 B.E.S.T. Contemporary Art Prize For Painting

The 2009 B.E.S.T. Prize e-flyer
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The 2009 B.E.S.T. Prize cheque for $10 000, generously donated by
The TFP Foundation of Australia

2009 Prize Winner:
Tom Polo
Continuous One Liners (Young People Today)
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Tom Polo
self portrait as a ball rolling down a hill, 2009
mixed media on paper
70 x 50 cm

Tom Polo
the future, 2009
ink on foam core
80 x 80 cm

Tom Polo
More Better, 2009
acrylic on MDF
70 x 50 cm

Tom Polo
In a field of uncertainty, 2009
mixed media on board
48 x 41 cm (unframed)

Tom Polo
everything will be okay, 2009
acrylic and gouache on board
60 x 60 cm

Tom Polo
Still Life (A picture of the ceramics I want to make), 2009
acrylic on board
60 x 40 cm

Tom Polo
Continuous One Liners (Young People Today), 2009
acrylic on crockery
23 cm (diameter)

Tom Polo
Big Head, 2009
Acrylic on board
120 x 90 cm

Tom Polo
Jon, 2009
acrylic on MDF
70 x 50 cm

Tom Polo
I’m rubbish, 2009
acrylic and gouache on board
48 x 41 cm

Tom Polo
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, 2009
acrylic and gouache on board
60 x 60 cm

Tom Polo
Untitled, 2009
acrylic and ink on found framed print
64 x 125 cm

Installation View
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Installation View
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Installation View
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Installation View
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Installation View

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Installation View
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Installation View

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Installation View
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To read an interview about this project, click here

Continuous One Liners (Plates)

Continuous One Liners (Plates)
2009
acrylic and enamel on crockery
dimensions variable
(installation view at SMAC awards launch, Gallery Barry Keldoulis)
Photography: Garry Trinh

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN at GRANTPIRRIE Window

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN (Banner)
2009
Acrylic and sequins on linen
Banner dimensions: 63 x 115cm
Overall dimensions: 150 x 115cm
Photography: Garry Trinh

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN (These Small Successes)

2009
Lambda print
21.01 x 29.69cm
Photography: Garry Trinh

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN (Waiting)
2009
Lambda print
59.41 x 84.10cm
Photography: Garry Trinh

Continuous One-Liners at PICA

Continuous One-Liners
2008-9
mixed media
dimensions variable (installation 400 x 700 cm)


As part of the exhibition Why do we do the things we do, curated by Jacqueline Doughty at Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, Perth

Continuous One-Liners, continued.

Continuous One-Liners
2009
Installation View

Rejected
2009
mixed media on paper
30 x 20 cm

Anthony (Tony) Robbins
2009
acrylic on paper
20 x 30 cm

A selection of drawings made at night in the dark

It's Just Continuous One Liners

Untitled (New)

No Identifiable Culture, Campbelltown Arts Centre, February 2009

NO IDENTIFIABLE CULTURE
acrylic and sequins on wall

wall title for exhibition

A History of Success
2009
stickers on MDF board
(detail of 'Winner')

A History of Success
2009
stickers on MDF board
(detail of 'Highly Commended')

A History of Success
2009
stickers on MDF board
(detail of 'Participation Award')

A History of Success
2009
stickers on MDF board
(3 panels, each 50 x 70 cm - Winner, Highly Commended, Participation Award)

Installation view

Installation view

L: Best in show
R: I REFUSE TO LOSE

I REFUSE TO LOSE
2009
sequins on tarpaulin

Best in show
2009
Dymo labels on found trophies on shelf
dimensions variable

Best in show

2009
Dymo labels on found trophy
(detail)

THE BEST THING EVER
2009
texta on paper


Commissioned for the cover of the 2009
Campbelltown Arts Centre Program

(design by boccalatte pty ltd)

Photographer: Silversalt Photography

One-Liner (or Suggestions for Conversations in Social Situations). Firstdraft Gallery, 2009

Good
Not So Good
Rubbish
2009
mixed media

Installation view (detail)

One-Liner
2009
Installation View,
Firstdraft Gallery, Sydney

YOU ARE EXCELLENT
2008
acrylic on board
60 x 60cm

Advice for a failed painter (Maybe try video art)
2008
acrylic on paper
50 x 70 cm

I wanna swap C.Vs with Shaun
2009
marker on cardboard
42 x 30 cm

It's really good
2008
acrylic on board
16 x 18 cm

This is what the edge of your seat was made for, Boxcopy Contemporary Art Space, Brisbane, QLD. February 2009

Winners are Grinners (2)
2009
mixed media installation

Installation view, Boxcopy Contemporary Art Space

I'm Rubbish, Current 08 - Sculpture Projects in the River City . Curated by Tia McIntyre, 2008

I'm Rubbish
2008
garbage bag and acrylic paint

I'm Rubbish (under the bridge)
2008
installation view
Parramatta, NSW

I'm (not) Rubbish
2008
(bag added anonymously to installation)

I'm Rubbish
2008
(with additional bags by anonymous public - contains actual rubbish)

I'm Rubbish
2008
garbage bags and acrylic paint
(installation detail)

I'm Rubbish
2008
(rearranged with additional bags by anonymous public - contains actual rubbish)

I'm Rubbish
2008
(being taken away)

Foul Play by The Chicken Coop Collective (with David Capra) 2008

Detritus of Birds judging a bird show performance
2008
mixed media

Giant bird seed bell
2008
birdseed, wire, glue
(with Martin Wilson's Blue Budgie on Pink)

Birds judging a bird show
Performance (with David Capra, Michael Dagostino and Tia McIntyre)

Birds judging a bird show
Performance (with David Capra, Michael Dagostino and Tia McIntyre)

As part of the exhibition 'The Year Of The Bird' at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, 2008

Laith McGregor, Tom Polo, Emily Portmann & Jackson Slattery, Sullivan + Strumpf Fine Art, August 2008

Why don't you love me?
2008
acrylic on board
122 x 92 cm

Didn't Wanna Win Anyway
2008
acrylic on board
60 x 60 cm

Rejection Letter
2008
acrylic on board
48 x 41 cm

Wear a helmet on that skull of yours
2008
acrylic on board
48 x 41 cm

Well done
2008
acrylic on board
60 x 60 cm

Everyone's a winner
2008
mixed media on board
48 x 41 cm

I'm giving up.
2008
acrylic on board
48 x 41 cm

I'm gonna make it after all!
2008
acrylic on board
48 x 41 cm

#1
2008
acrylic on board
60 x 60 cm

There's A Winner In You
2008
acrylic on wall & mixed media on board
Installation view,
Sullivan + Strumpf Fine Art

Winners Are Grinners, Gallery 9, December 2007

They like me! They actually like me!
2007
acrylic and sequins on board
48 x 41 cm

Winners are grinners
2007
acrylic on board
48 x 41 cm

I Won, I Won!
2007
acrylic and sequins on board, found trophies and archived childhood certificates
Installation (detail)
dimensions variable

At least you had a go...
2007
acrylic and sequins on board
48 x 41 cm

It's not all about winning
2007
acrylic on board
48 x 41 cm

Installation View
Winners Are Grinners
Gallery 9, Sydney
2007

An Excessive Aesthetic - Firstdraft Gallery, July 2007

Installation View
An Excessive Aesthetic
Firstdraft Gallery, Sydney
2007

Weepin' Walls Jesus
2007
ink, felt and mylar adhesive on wall

Fluoro Fun Jesus
2007
acrylic and mylar on paper

Prayer Card Jesus
2007
texta and mylar on board

Sparkle Jesus I
2007
acrylic and sequins on board

Sparkle Jesus II
2007
acrylic and sequins on board

Sparkle Jesus III
2007
acrylic, sequins and mylar on board