About the artist

Ro Clark is a contemporary artist based on the Sunshine Coast (Kabi Kabi Country). Working primarily with acrylic paint, her practice explores regeneration, adaptation and the relationship between body and
landscape. Following a spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia in 2019, she draws on her lived experience to examine how a changed body experiences, navigates and participates in the world. Her layered, textured works are informed by Australian landscapes and botanical forms, exploring the connections between physical experience, environment and change.

A Queensland College of Art and Design graduate, she has presented solo and group exhibitions across Queensland and undertaken professional development through programs including Refinery R|7.0, The Path
and the Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation Gifted program. Her practice is currently expanding into large-scale mark making, performance and installation as she investigates new ways of translating embodied experience into visual language. Through this developing work, she is interested in broadening conversations around disability and the creative possibilities that emerge through adaptation.

CV

(current as of September 2026)

Education
2018–2023 | Diploma of Technology Studies, University of the Sunshine Coast
2005–2008 | Bachelor of Design, Queensland College of Art and Design, Griffith University


Solo Exhibitions and Projects
2026 | The Keeper Project: Turning Circle, Maroochydore, Queensland
2026 | The Season After Fire, Gallery Lane, Coolum, Queensland


Selected Group Exhibitions
2026 | Icons, Horizon Festival, Equity Works
2026 | The Weight We Wear, Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre
2026 | Splash, Petrie Terrace Gallery, Brisbane
2025 | Reflections, Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens


Awards and Grants
2026 | Finalist, Queensland Regional Art Awards
2026 | Finalist, Du Rietz Art Awards
2026 | Finalist, Queen's Wharf Brisbane Art Prize
2026 | Finalist, Revival Emerging Art Prize
2025 | Recipient, Gifted Program, Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation
2025 | Finalist, Callinan Chambers Art Prize


Professional Development and Residencies
2026 | Studio1 Pathway Residency, Brisbane
2026 | R|The Path, Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance, led by Dr Kellie O’Dempsey
2025–2026 | Mentorship with Rosie Lloyd-Giblett
2025 | R|7.0 Program, Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance


Artist Talks and Public Programs
2026 | Artist Talk, The Season After Fire, Gallery Lane, Coolum
2025 | Artist Talk, Reflections, Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens


Selected Media
2026 | Cover feature, The Advocate Magazine, Winter edition
2026 | Cover feature, Hello Sunshine Magazine, Summer edition
2026 | Interview, Challenges That Change Us podcast, Episode 204
2025 | Interview, ArtsCoast, Vol. 17


Professional Experience
2020–present | Founder and Artist, Ro Clark Art
2010–2019 | Graphic Designer, Sunshine Coast Regional Council

Be notified about new works, exhibitions and the occasional update from the studio.