Tom O'Sullivan

Tom O'Sullivan is a Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University, appointed at 0.5 capacity, combining his academic role with professional contemporary art practice. He teaches in the Fine Art programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, leading the 'Theory into Practice' module at Level 5 of the BA Fine Art. He supervises practice-based PhDs in contemporary art and serves as an internal examiner for such programs. Previously, he held roles as a Research Fellow at Grays School of Art (Robert Gordon University, 2003–2011) and Lecturer at Cumbria Institute of the Arts (1999–2003). He is also an experienced visiting lecturer and external examiner across UK and European institutions.

• Educational Background: MFA in Fine Art (July 1994).

His research focuses on collaborative art practices with Joanne Tatham, exploring how contemporary art forms produce meaning through temporary sculptures, texts, performances, and images. Recent projects include The Bitter Cup (a novella collaboration with Book Works, 2019), Does the iterative fit (Kunsthal Oslo, 2019), and A Successful Proposition for the Great North Exhibition (BALTIC, 2018). He co-founded Neuschloss, a collaborative group at Northumbria exploring experimental curatorial and art practices.

His publications span 2018–2024, addressing themes like public art’s instrumentalization, civic engagement, and reimagining art histories through fiction. While no formal awards are listed, his work has been exhibited in prominent venues such as MIMA and BALTIC.

Tom advises on PhDs and contributes to interdisciplinary collaborations but no specific grants are noted. His involvement with Neuschloss highlights ongoing experimental curatorial work within Northumbria’s academic framework.