ABOUT

Bart Pols (Arnhem, 1992) is a contemporary artist working across diverse media, including drawings, collages, paintings, sculptures, and performances. His practice is defined by a continuous exploration of the intersections between materiality, form, and concept.

At the heart of his work lies an inquiry into the human condition. From an autobiographical perspective, Pols engages with the apparent contradictions of life—such as vulnerability and strength, lightness and gravity, order and chaos. These tensions form the basis of his artistic research. By experimenting with materials such as wood, ceramics, plastics, textiles, and readymades, he creates works in which contrasts do not stand in opposition, but instead converge into new forms of cohesion. Humor plays a subtle role in this process—serving as a way to address complex subjects while opening space for perspective and hope. At the same time, he seeks a balance between craftsmanship and technical skill on the one hand, and a deliberate flirtation with amateurism on the other. The role of the untrained amateur—the bungler—provides a sense of freedom and can operate provocatively within the increasingly intellectual discourse of contemporary art.

Pols has participated in a range of solo and group exhibitions. He made his public debut with Best of Graduates 2021 at Galerie Ron Mandos in Amsterdam, where his work was presented alongside that of other promising emerging artists. Further highlights include presentations at Art Rotterdam, Unfair, and, most notably, the group exhibition EARTH at the AkzoNobel Art Foundation in Amsterdam.