About — Cher Shackleton

ABOUT CHER

More than four decades exploring clay and fire

Born in Yorkshire, Cher first found her way into making through textiles. Knitting led to spinning and weaving, and later, while living in New Zealand, clay changed the direction of her life. After returning to Western Australia, she studied ceramics in Perth and began what would become a lifelong fascination with wood firing.

Over more than four decades, Cher has developed a practice spanning vessels, sculptural forms and installations. Her work has evolved from wheel-thrown vessels towards larger hand-built and mould-derived forms, while remaining grounded in the possibilities of clay and fire. Building and adapting her own kilns has been central to that exploration, giving her an intimate understanding of fire as both a process and a material.

Cher’s work draws on the coast, shell structures, Fremantle docks, weathered ground and the scale and colour of the Australian landscape. Over days of firing, flame, ash and salt move through the kiln, leaving surfaces that are rich, unpredictable and impossible to repeat.

Now working from her studio in the South West of Western Australia, Cher continues to make, fire and exhibit, while contributing to the wider ceramics community through teaching and curatorial work.

CURRENT PRACTICE

Wood-fired and salt-glazed vessels
Sculptural forms
Installation
Work on paper

BEYOND MAKING

Teaching and workshop hosting
Kiln-based community activity
Curatorial work
Public demonstrations

Chester Nealie with Cher

Recent highlights

PROJECTS, PRESS & CURATION · 2011–2026

2026Choreography of Vessels, South West Biennial 2026 and Holmes à Court Gallery.

2026Blackwood River Arts Trail — wheel-throwing demonstrations and collaboration.

2026Curator, Wood Fire Survey 2026.

2025Woodfire Survey, Busselton.

2025Woodfire WA, The Journal of Australian Ceramics.

2023Blackwood River Arts Trail coverage, Art Almanac.

2022Southern Arts and Craft Trail.

2019CAAWA Selective Exhibition, Heathcote Museum & Gallery.

2018Exhibition opener and master-class presenter, Then and Now, South of the River Potters Club.

2018Convergence, Courthouse Gallery, Busselton.

2014Vase – Wood Fired, Vasefinder International.

2011Honorable Mention, Vasefinder International.

SOLO & GROUP · 1982–2011

2011CAAWA 2011 Selective, Heathcote Gallery — Highly Commended

2011Castaways, sculptural exhibition, Rockingham WA

2011Woodfire Tas 2011 — fifty Australian wood firers, Deloraine, Tasmania

2011Vasefinder International, Nevada USA — Honourable Mention (Robin Hopper, juror)

2010POTober Demonstrators Exhibition, Showcase Gallery, Perth

2010Annual CAAWA Selective, Central Institute of Technology

2010Vasefinder International, Nevada USA — Honourable Mention

2009CAAWA Annual Selective, Fremantle Contemporary Art Gallery — Highly Commended

2009Beyond the Nullabor, Adagio Gallery, Sydney NSW

2008SALUTE to Australian Ceramics, Fusion Gallery, QLD

2008CAAWA Annual Selective, Ellenbrook WA

2008Victoria Park Art Awards, WA — Highly Commended

2008Far Flung, Sturt Gallery, Mittagong NSW

2008Salt Soda Women and Wood, Kerrie Lowe Gallery, Sydney NSW

2007CAAWA Annual Selective, Gallows Gallery — Judges Prize

2007Vapour — 1st National Soda Exhibition, Gulgong NSW

2007Perth Studio Potters, Celebrating Our Past (50 years)

2007A Dash of Soda, GVP, Perth

2006Earthworks, Mining Hall of Fame, Kalgoorlie

2006CAAWA Annual Selective, Gallows Gallery

2006Encrusted — Australian wood firers, Skepsi on Swanston, Melbourne

2006St Mary’s School 85th Birthday Exhibition, Perth

2005ANU Delegates Exhibition

2005CAAWA Annual Selective, Gallows Gallery, Mosman Park

2004Solo — wood fired, four kilns, Perth Studio Potters, Cottesloe

2004CAAWA Annual Selective, Gallows Gallery

2003Solo — Gallows Gallery, Mosman Park

2003Perth Studio Potters Members Selective

2003CAAWA, Gallows Gallery, Mosman Park — Highly Commended

2002CAAWA, Gallows Gallery, Mosman Park — Highly Commended

2001Past Members Exhibition, Guildford Village Potters

2001Perth Studio Potters Annual Selective

2001CAAWA Annual Selective, Edge Gallery, Denmark WA

2001Centrepiece, 274 Gallery, William St, Perth — Ceramic Study Group

2000Perth Studio Potters Annual Selective

1999Ceramic Study Group, Fremantle Arts Centre

1999CAAWA Annual Selective, Burswood Casino

1998Spring in the Valley, GVP — Swan Valley Council acquisition

1996Solo — Teapot Exhibition, Guildford WA

199625th Anniversary Exhibition, Marton, New Zealand

1996Ceramic Study Group, Capita Building, Perth

1995Spring in the Valley, Guildford WA

1994St Hilda’s Art Exhibition

1993Annual Exhibition, South of the River Potters Club

1993Ceramic Study Group, Bathers Beach Gallery, Fremantle

1992Solo — Graduate Exhibition: installation of 365 raku pots on the beach at Mosman Park WA

19926 x 6, Claremont School of Art

1992Ceramic Study Group, Sandalford Winery — Showing Off

1992Claremont School of Art Graduates Exhibition

1982Selective Exhibition, Marton, New Zealand