Deborah Bell

Deborah Bell working on her lithographs at The Artists' Press

Deborah Bell works intensely, submerging herself in the process of lithography as she engages with the alchemy of ink, paper, pencils charcoal and tusche. Out of the ink splashes on the floor and charcoal dust on her face and hands emerge images of sublime harmony and strength. Her female figures are the calm centre of a metaphysical chaos. From randomness, order takes shape, creating a sense of balance and harmony.

Bell studied at the University of the Witwatersrand where she received her BFA followed by a MFA in 1986. Since then she has exhibited extensively both locally and internationally. Her work is in many prestigious local and international collections including MOMA (USA), The National Gallery of Art in Washington, the Hara Museum (Tokyo) and the SA National Gallery in Cape Town. Bell works in a variety of media from animations (where she collaborated with Robert Hodgins and William Kentridge), to hand-built clay sculptures, bronzes, works on paper and paintings.

Bell’s conceptual concerns refer to classical history, mysticism, goddesses and her place in ancient and contemporary Africa and the connections between the two. She works intuitively and the meaning of the work will often only reveal itself to her over time. This allows the viewer to respond to the work on their own terms. Bell's work evokes a strong connection to archetypes that transcend language and cultural barriers.

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Large partially submerged female figure with hand raised with small red horse, figure floating below her

Title: The Immeasurable
Medium: Six colour lithograph
Paper size: 76.5 x 56.5 cm
Image size: 76.5 x 56.5 cm
Edition size: 45
SOLD OUT


Large seated female figure with empty bowl in her lap

Title: Forgiveness
Medium: Six colour lithograph
Paper size: 76.5 x 56.5 cm
Image size: 76.5 x 56.5 cm
Edition size: 45
SOLD OUT


Robed barefooted female figure seated with bird in her left hand.

Title: I believe in all that has never been spoken
Medium: Seven colour lithograph
Paper size: 76.5 x 56.5 cm
Image size: 76.5 x 56.5 cm
Edition size: 45
SOLD OUT


Three naked female figures in a shared space with a horse and objects

Title:  I Have Hymns You Haven't Heard
Medium: Four colour lithograph
Paper size: 37 x 47.5 cm
Image size: 26.5 x 37.5 cm
Edition size: 45
Price: R 11 000 (excl. VAT)


Seated female figure looking out of balcony window with bowl in front of her.

Title: Chalice
Medium: Single run chine collé  lithograph
Paper size: 33 x 41 cm
Image size: 25 x 34 cm
Edition size: 20
SOLD OUT


deborah bell, south african art, south african prints, south african lithogrphs

Title: Museum Equinox
Medium: Ten colour lithograph
Paper size: 59.5 x 57.5 cm
Image size: 59.5 x 57.5 cm
Edition size: 25
SOLD OUT



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