Between the Lines, HUTCH
A new body of works that translate observations from daily life such as light refraction, light falloff, bounced light and subsurface scattering. These moments of reflection were reinvisioned when harnessing light play in these compositional manipulations. The exhibition title between the lines implies there is an intention to these works that isn’t directly communicated, grasping at what may be hidden, encouraging the viewer to slow down and question their own perception of these shifting hues. A mirrored moment of contemplation.
22 Aug - 24 Sept 2025
Materiality, TwentySix Gallery
Aligning with the end of Summer, Materiality group exhibition brought together bright, bold and colourful textile works by Polly Gilroy, Emma Fitts and Leah Creaven.
22 March – 12 April 2025
In between expanses, PG gallery192
A new suite of stretched silk ‘paintings’ which conjure chromatic and spatial harmonies evocative of our environment. Their appearance forever shifts in changing light.
30 July - 17 August 2024
The Land of Wonder, OTOMYS
Wonder (noun), a period of questioning, thought and reflection.
The Land of Wonder was a group exhibition where artists were invited to make an artwork that embodied their individual perception of ‘Wonderland’, whether this be an imaginary place, or experience or an object, colour or texture that evokes wonderment.
’The Space Between’ was a work made in direct response to the OTOMYS gallery, its unique windows, architecture and cascading orange sun shades. The work intends to translate the moments of reflection within and without the gallery space, inviting the viewer to slowly experience the ever changing interactions between light and colour.
23 November - 14 December 2023
A Colour Has Many Faces, PG gallery192
Curated by Polly Gilroy
Colour plays a pivotal role within each artist’s work and is explored through their unique visual language, dissecting the sensorial potential of surface and shape through bold abstraction.
30 May - 30 June, 2023
Playground in a lake, Föenander Galleries
Group exhibition featuring works by Billy McQueen, Polly Gilroy, Chauncey Flay, Isaac Katzoff, Ramon Robertson
Featured works: Absent Fullness 3/5, Absent Fullness 5/5, Tension #1, #2 & #3
4 - 22 August 2022
Traces, PG gallery192
A study of light and shadow in the gallery space, taking cues from the reflections which cascaded across former bodies of work.
5 April - 6 May 2022
Cinder and Smoke, Föenander Galleries
Sight Line diptych featured beside ‘In the shadows of Pukekawa’ by Neil Palmer
in Cinder and Smoke a group exhibition featuring works by Billy Apple, Polly Gilroy, Neil Palmer, Billy McQueen, Oliver Cain and Cathy Carter.
26 June - 12 July, 2021
In absence of, PG gallery192
Soft hazes of silk slowly engulf colours whilst selectively capturing and amplifying light. This new series brings the stretcher bars and support structures into the formal composition, offering viewers something to look at as well as something to look through and beyond. Unseen hues fall away, margins interweave while veiling and unveiling sun-faded layers. The quiet works create a contemplative space, encouraging the viewer to question, ‘in absence of’ what?
15 September - 9 October 2020
Within and Without, PG gallery192, Christchurch
A body of works that quietly asks for your attention. Demarcating space, absorbing sound and activating different chromatic relationships within and without. These relationships are enhanced by light and shadow throughout the day, encouraging spacial awareness.
pictured: Polly Gilroy and Philippa Blair in front of Quiet Dance at the exhibition opening
14 October - 1 November 2019
PG gallery192, Pop Up space, Christchurch CBD
Contemporary art gallery PG gallery192 had a temporary pop up space in the Christchurch CBD, showcasing stock from some of their leading represented artists.
May 2018
Exposure, Graduate Exhibition, Massey University
Where Shadow Chases Light
The emphasis on touch and surface materiality is physically ingrained into art-making. All depiction in painting and sculpture implies a haptic response to some degree, but the idea of touch is deliberately and meticulously expanded in this series of works. The experience of light and colour within the traditional framing of painting, displayed as a sculpture, responds to the space and the physical presence of the viewer.
November 2017
Loose Leaf, Group Exhibition, Potocki Paterson
Loose Leaf presents new work from five Wellington based emerging artists Polly Gilroy, Harris Clook, and Robert Laking alongside designers Ruby Ash and Alfred Hoi.
The exhibition signifies the accumulation of different ideas which altogether form an underlying context, focusing on the moments when materials become the essentialised basis of the artistic process, allowing the substances that art is made of to communicate their own agency. The intent is to foster a relationship with the viewer and the work of art through a manifestation of the material experiences.
September 2017
Boundless Perceptions, Group Exhibition, Massey University
Emerging artists Polly Gilroy, Olivia Courtney, Harris Clook, and Remington Manning present "Boundless Perceptions". An exhibition that collates their cohesive concepts revolved specifically around; formation and perception, but also explores tactility, softness, movement and ambiguity. There was a significant importance of process and media application.
Detail of Inked, Musty and Corroded triptych in Boundless Perceptions
September 2016