About Us
Cement Fondu acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and present. We recognise the continuing connection of First Nations peoples to land, waters and culture, and pay respect to Elders past and present.
Cement Fondu is a not-for-profit contemporary arts organisation. Located in Paddington, Sydney, from 2017-2024, it evolved to an itinerant model in 2025. The gallery fostered greater understanding and creative possibilities, commissioning and presenting diverse artists and practices. It presented a dynamic year-round program of visual arts exhibitions by Australian and international contemporary artists, integrating performance, dance and music. The Art Store, Project Space, online presence and program of public events generated alternative and engaging ways for people to encounter artists and their practices.
In 2024, we launched Cement Fondu’s sister organisation, Vital Commons, which supports early- to mid-career artists in creating extraordinary, contemporary art in the public realm. Reflective of our times – and the places we belong – our projects reimagine the vital role of art in common space; inspiring a renewed appreciation for communality, a public of critical thinkers, and a shared sense of togetherness.
OUR TEAM
Josephine Skinner
Josephine Skinner is the co-founding director and lead curator of Cement Fondu. She has worked to nurture a welcoming and innovative art space that platforms the diversity of creativity and invites critical reflection on our times. She has over 15 years of experience in curating, co-curating, commissioning and producing art exhibitions, events and public programs, with a particular interest in affective, immersive and interdisciplinary practices and experiences. Prior to founding Cement Fondu, she worked as a curator at Stills Gallery while earning a practice-based Ph.D. exploring the convergence of private reality and social fictions in the digital everyday (UNSW Art & Design). Her experience across contemporary art disciplines, and public and commercial gallery models, informs her work to co-create a lively and sustainable not-for-profit arts organisation that serves to support, engage and inspire.
Bethan Donnelly
Bethan Donnelly joined Cement Fondu in 2023 as Director - Business & Development. She works as a curator and arts and cultural strategist who has developed a practice working with contemporary artists in the public realm. She delivers dynamic and ambitious projects that create extraordinary experiences and increase access and engagement with arts and culture. Bethan has significant experience in precinct-wide creative and cultural strategy and commissioning multi-project art programs, consulting to leading clients in the cultural, public, and development sectors. Bethan helps to realise vital and sustainable cultural projects that deliver tangible benefits for communities. Her projects include working with cities, creative precincts, infrastructure projects, mixed-use developments, parks, and heritage sites. Previously, she was Curator at Cultural Capital. The breadth of her experience includes artistic visioning, empathetic leadership, inspiring stakeholder engagement, simplifying complex deliverables, and effective project management. Bethan’s career spans working in multidisciplinary arts spaces, museums and galleries, and arts consulting. Bethan holds a Master of Curating and Cultural Leadership from the University of New South Wales Art & Design and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours First Class) from the University of New South Wales.
Mac Mansfield
Mac Mansfield is a practicing visual artist and experienced art services technician. Since completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the National Art School, he has worked as a technician in various galleries and institutions, building an extensive background in fine art installation, logistics, handling and transport. Alongside this, he has worked as a technician in the National Art School for several years.
Hannah White
Hannah White is the Assistant Curator, Engagement and Communications at Cement Fondu. She is an experienced arts educator having previously worked as a high school teacher across English and Visual Arts. Hannah is currently completing her Master of Art Curating at the University of Sydney and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Distinction) and a Bachelor of Secondary Education (Distinction) from the University of New South Wales.