SURFACE TENSION, a solo show by Nelson Nghe, shines a light on Australia’s gambling problem and long obsession with poker machines. The people of NSW lost $8.129 billion to poker machines in 2023, an increase of $29 million on 2022 and the equivalent of $1,000 for every adult and child in the state. Nelson’s works are assembled through mixed media components to reveal the fact that poker machines are highly complex devices which have been engineered by a team of experts. The captivating combination of vibrant colours, textures and materials of the work alludes to the use of sensory cues in poker machines such as flashing lights and ringing bells which, when paired with a reward, lead to “riskier” decision making. At the same time, the physical process of layering found objects and materials reveals the hidden levels of shame and stigma around the topic of gambling. This exhibition seeks to challenge this,so that we can have the conversation and address the “silent” public health issue arising from gambling harm. *** The Waiting Room Project would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation of which we operate on and we pay our respects to elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded. **IMPORTANT** Please do not attend if you are experiencing any COVID-19 or cold symptoms. The Waiting Room Project is an art space located within the waiting room of the Sydney Sexual Health Centre.