Catherine Bell

Catherine Bell is a multi-disciplinary artist and Associate Professor (Visual Arts), Australian Catholic University. Bell’s practice-led research focuses on the generative potential of grief, loss and memory in a creative context. In recent times, she has located her practice within an archive and healthcare setting. Bell’s socially engaged artworks expose personal narratives by up-cycling excess or waste materials to create unique, yet familiar, objects of reverence and contemplation.

Select solo exhibitions: Dog Robot Space Star: A Two Cathies Collaboration (with Cathy Staughton), Gertrude Glasshouse, Melbourne, 2023; Death Becomes Her, Sutton Gallery, Melbourne, 2022; Odor Patris Tu, Sutton Gallery, Melbourne, 2017; The Remains of the Day, Sutton Gallery, Melbourne, 2014; The Gathering, Substation, Melbourne, 2013; This little piggy…fades to pink, Art Gallery of Ballarat, Melbourne, 2012; Mum’s the Word, Sutton Gallery, Melbourne, 2011; Love and Other Bruises, Monash Faculty Gallery, Melbourne, 2007; Felt is the Past Tense of Feel, Galapagas Art Space, Brooklyn, and Linden Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne, 2006-07.

Select group exhibitions: Melbourne Sculpture Biennale, Villa Alba Museum, Melbourne, 2024; Mona Foma, MONA, Hobart, 2024; One foot on the ground, one foot in the water, Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, Caboolture; Latrobe Art Institute, Bendigo; Bunjil Place Gallery, Narre Warren, Victoria and touring nationally by NETS Victoria, 2020-24; Craftivism, SAM, Shepparton and touring regionally, 2018-20; Pairs, Firstdraft Gallery, Sydney, 2018; Ceremonial, Craft Victoria, Melbourne, 2016; New photography from the Footpath, Monash Gallery of Art, Melbourne, 2014; Knowing Me Knowing You, Arts Project Australia, Melbourne, 2014; Backflip: Feminism and humour in contemporary art, Margaret Lawrence Gallery, Melbourne, 2013; The Animal Gaze, Sheffield Institute of Arts Gallery, Sheffield, 2011; Seminário Internacional Arte e Natureza, Matilha Cultural, Sao Paulo, 2011.

Artist's CV (PDF)

As an artist Bell takes on the task of honouring the truth that life transcends our grasp; she asks how what remains after death can be given a voice, and on whose behalf it can speak. Thus the work of Catherine Bell tells an allegory of mortality.
Dr. Caroline Durre, 'Catherine Bell: The Remains of the Day,' 2014

Catherine Bell
Bouquet #5 (Roses for Archie), 2024
Hand-carved florist oasis foam
45 x 25 x 25cm
Installation view
Melbourne Sculpture Biennale, 2024
Villa Alba, Kew, VIC
Photo Sebastian Cairney

Catherine Bell

Bouquet #5 (Roses for Archie)

, 2024
Florist Oasis foam
45 x 25 x 25cm

Catherine Bell

Dog Robot Space Star

, 2023
Single channel HD video, black and white, no sound.
12:00 (duration)

Catherine Bell
Maker Unknown series, 2022
Hand-carved florist oasis foam
Dimensions variable
Installation view at Melbourne Sculpture Biennale 2024
Villa Alba, Kew, VIC
Photo Sebastian Cairney

Catherine Bell
Dog Robot, 2023
Felt, polyester stuffing, wire and acrylic paint
75 x 87 x 34cm

Catherine Bell
Dog Robot Language Grid, 2022
Acrylic paint on felt
130 x 292cm

Catherine Bell and Cathy Staughton (The Two Cathies)
Dog Robot Space Star, 2023 (still)
Single-channel HD video, black and white, no sound.
12:00 (duration)

Installation view
Catherine Bell and Cathy Staughton (The Two Cathies)
Dog Robot Space Star, 2023
Gertrude Glasshouse, Melbourne
Photo Andrew Curtis

Catherine Bell
Rubin Vase After My Mother and Sensory Archaeology #2 (Mother’s Archive), 2022 (both)
Installation view
Gertrude Studios, 2024
Gertrude Contemporary, Melbourne
Photography Christian Capurro

Catherine Bell
Sensory Archaeology #2 (Father’s Vessel), 2021
Hand carved Aramis deodorant stick7.5 x 4 x 4cm
Installation view
Gertrude Studios, 2024
Gertrude Contemporary, Melbourne
Photography Christian Capurro

Catherine Bell
Rubin Vase After My Father, 2021
Installation view
Gertrude Studios, 2024
Gertrude Contemporary, Melbourne
Photography Christian Capurro