Fiona Cuthbert O’Meara works in the field of expanded ceramics, creating site-responsive works that explore the relational dynamics of the female body, the entanglements between known and unknown environments, and embodied senses of the past. Her interdisciplinary, research-led practice is guided by forensic inquiry and intuitive material engagement, with abstract biomorphic forms emerging through haptic processes of making with clay and other materials. Central to her practice are atmospheric firing methods, including slow fired anagama wood firing, saggar, and raku, which she employs to investigate material behaviour and the reciprocal relationships between human bodies and the material world. These processes embrace uncertainty and transformation, allowing material agency to actively shape the work as it evolves. Through a trans-corporeal approach, Cuthbert O’Meara examines the porous boundaries between body and environment. Her work challenges medicalised and scientific frameworks that privilege pathology over lived, embodied experience, proposing instead more holistic ways of sensing, knowing, and understanding the body through material practice.
Education
2023 – 2025 Master of Visual Art, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, Qld.
2024 – Certificate IV Training & Assessment in Visual Arts, FIT College, Qld.
2017 – Bachelor of Visual Arts, Canberra University, ACT- second year of three-year undergraduate degree.
2016 – Diploma of Visual Arts, TAFE East Coast, Qld.
1998 – Diploma Aromatherapy, International Academy of Aromatherapy, Vic.
1997 – Diploma Bowen Therapy, Bowtech/Fascial Kinetics/ Neurostructural Integration Technique, Various private teaching facilities, Vic.
1997 – Diploma Therapeutic Massage, Australian School of Therapeutic Massage, Vic.
1996 – Bachelor of Applied Science- Conversion (Nursing), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Vic.
1994 – Graduate Certificate Acute Clinical Nursing (Emergency), Western Hospital/Victoria University, Vic.
1986-1988 – Diploma of Applied Science (Nursing), Phillip Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Vic.
Solo Exhibitions
2024 Innocent Bystander, RADF funded mentoring project with Dr Fiona Fell, Lantana Space, Moffat Beach, Qld.
2022 Cultivate, Old Ambulance Gallery, Nambour, Qld.
Duo Exhibitions
2019 Shaped by Nature, Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy, Qld.
Group Exhibitions and collaborative works
2026 Cocreator (pit fired ceramic vessel) with Dr Kellie O’Dempsey. The Aether Room, Dearly Departed, Queensland State Library, South Bank, Brisbane.
2026 “Impermanent Objects”, The Weight We Carry, Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy, Qld.
2025 “Impermanent Objects”, MVA Graduate exhibition, QCAD galleries, Griffith University, Southbank, Brisbane.
2025 ‘Transcending Bias”, ARTificial intelligence, Group show curated by Bree DiMattina PhD, featuring Fiona Cuthbert O’Meara, Joyce Lubuto, Christina Lowry, Rosie Lloyd Giblett, Jude Muduioa, QCAD Webb Gallery, Griffith University, Southbank, Brisbane.
2024 Ceramics, works on paper, textiles. Place, with Rosie Lloyd Giblett and Helena Jackson Lloyd, Project Gallery, Queensland College of Art & Design, Southbank, Qld.
2024 Collection of wood fired ceramic objects. Rugged Terrain, with Tess Miller & Tracey Richards, Pop Up Exhibition, Caloundra Regional Gallery, Caloundra, Qld.
2023 Collection ceramic objects. Country & Landscapes, Stevens Street Gallery, Yandina.
2023 “Impermanence” installation ceramic vessels. Un/Seen, Grey Street and White Box Galleries, QCA, Griffith University, Southbank.
2021 “Foreshore” ceramic vessel. Siliceous, Finalist, Ceramic Arts Queensland Awards for Excellence, Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy, Qld.
2021 “The story of stillness” ceramic and found object sculpture. Eclectica, Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy, Qld.
2018 “Gratitude bowl” ceramic. Ignition, Old Ambulance Station Gallery, Nambour, Qld.
2017 “Ceramic objects”. Smoke on the Water (wood firing conference), Group Exhibition, Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy, Qld.
2016 Ceramic objects, found object and ceramic installation, painting. Flux, Graduating student exhibition TAFE East Coast Visual Arts, Arts and Ecology Centre, Mooloolaba, Qld.
Professional Arts Development/ Residencies
2024 The Refinery Short Program K’gari- Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance & University of the Sunshine Coast
2023 Project Lab- Collaborative contemporary arts development program, Sunshine Coast.
2022 The Refinery Incubator 4.0 – Social Impact/Creative incubator program for creatives, Sunshine Coast.
2019 “When clay becomes skin”, two-week workshop. Arthur Gonzalez, Penland School of Craft, North Carolina, USA.
Prizes & Awards
2023 & 2025 Award for Academic Excellence, Master of Visual Art Program, Griffith University, Southbank, Brisbane, Qld.
2019 “Undergrowth” Winner Open Award, A Taste of Art Noosa Regional Gallery, Noosa, Qld.
2019 Geoffrey Walker Fellowship, Penland School of Craft, North Carolina, USA.
2016 “Seed”, Ceramic and found object installation. Winner 3D Award (ceramics), Graduating Students Exhibition, TAFE East Coast, Mooloolaba, Qld.
2016 “New Light”, Acrylic and ink on paper. Winner 2D Acquisition Award, Graduating Students Exhibition, TAFE East Coast, Mooloolaba, Qld.
Social Media
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fionacuthbertomeara_naturemuse/
Website https://naturemuse.com.au
Fiona Cuthbert O’Meara Personal details:
76A Grays Road, Doonan, Sunshine Coast/ Kabi Kabi Country, Qld 4562
Phone 0439654471
Email fiona@naturemuse.com.au
Prerequisites required; Ceramic Glazing 101 & Wheel Throw workshop must be completed.
Commence anytime based on availability, however, there is a waiting list for this class.
When you purchase a ticket, you acknowledge and agree that:
Once you’ve secured your spot, in addition to your tax receipt, you’ll receive an email from Fiona acknowledging your registration.
If you haven’t received the confirmation email within a couple of hours of your purchase, please check your junk mail.
Fiona will be in contact a week before classes start to provide you with instructions and what to bring.