Sullivan+Strumpf Naarm/Melbourne is thrilled to present Puffs, a new exhibition by internationally celebrated Australian artist Polly Borland.
Opening on 27 November and running until 20 December 2025, Puffs marks an exciting evolution in Borland’s sculptural practice, showcasing fresh works that expand on her acclaimed Morph (2018) and Nudies (2021) series.
This is a Melbourne sculpture activation, similar to the gallery’s latest in Sydney.
A Playful Exploration of Form and Restraint
Known for her surreal and abstracted depictions of the human form, Borland’s latest body of work continues her exploration of soft sculpture and photography. Puffs introduces a series of 3D works sculpted on live performers wrapped in Borland’s signature bulbous forms, as seen in recent exhibitions like BOD (2023) and Blob Out (2023). However, this new series takes a bold turn, embracing restraint by revealing silhouettes without the signature padding, offering glimpses of the body within.
The result is a collection of deeply engaging forms—both beguiling and unsettling—that invite viewers to search for meaning. These sculptures, at once familiar and alien, reflect the paradox of human existence: our imperfect excellence. As Borland herself notes, her work is driven by a relentless sense of exploration, continually evolving to push the boundaries of her artistic vision.
A Career of International Acclaim
Polly Borland is one of Australia’s most recognisable contemporary artists, with a career spanning decades and a practice that has captivated audiences worldwide. From her early editorial portraits for leading magazines to her groundbreaking artistic explorations in photography and sculpture, Borland has consistently challenged and redefined the genre of portraiture.
Her works are held in prestigious collections, including the National Portrait Galleries in London and Canberra, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Highlights of her career include her Babies series at London’s Southbank Meltdown Festival (1999), her portrait of Queen Elizabeth II for the Royal Collection Trust (2001), and her acclaimed Polyverse exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria (2018).
In 2023, Borland debuted her largest sculpture to date, BOD, a 7-foot-tall cast aluminium figure, at the Marfa Invitational in Texas. This monumental work showcased her ability to translate her soft sculptural forms into new materials, further cementing her reputation as a versatile and innovative artist.
Puffs: A Multi-Sensory Experience
Puffs will also feature a curated selection of photographs from Borland’s Nudies series (2021), offering a dialogue between her sculptural and photographic practices. The exhibition promises to immerse viewers in Borland’s surreal world, where the boundaries between the human and the abstract blur in playful and thought-provoking ways.
The opening celebration for Puffs will take place on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, from 6–8 PM at Sullivan+Strumpf, 107-109 Rupert Street, Collingwood. All are welcome to attend and experience the latest chapter in Borland’s extraordinary career.
Exhibition Details
- Exhibition: Puffs by Polly Borland
- Dates: 27 November – 20 December 2025
- Opening Celebration: 6–8 PM, Wednesday 26 November 2025
- Location: Sullivan+Strumpf, 107-109 Rupert Street, Collingwood, Naarm/Melbourne
Polly Borland’s Puffs is a must-see for art lovers and anyone intrigued by the playful potential of form, materiality, and the human body.
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the work of one of Australia’s most celebrated contemporary artists.