NAME Harry Bell

Statement

Harry has always drawn since the time he stole an assistant’s pencil stub from the Co-op when he was four. His route to painting, however, was circuitous, involving several years detour into cartooning for the world of science fiction fanzines (He was Fan Guest of Honour at the World Science Fiction Convention in 1979). In 1989 he began seriously to paint in spare time from his Civil Service employment, and with help from the Open College of the Arts, was able to progress sufficiently to win prizes and to be given his first solo show in 1995.  Taking early retirement from the Civil Service in 1997, he began a BA (Hons) degree course at Newcastle University and graduated in 2001.

The majority of Harry’s work has always found its source in the urban environment.  The play of light on buildings attracts him and he uses the effects of light and shadow to make paintings based on strong abstract compositions. However, he would describe himself and the work he produces as contemporary realist. Travels abroad, where the light is stronger, the colours brighter, have had a profound effect on his sense of colour and in recent years he has concentrated on developing that aspect of his work

Although he occasionally draws and paints from the subject, Harry sees that only as a way of maintaining hand to eye co-ordination and securing a continued connection with the world outside his studio. Primarily a studio-based artist, most of his work comes from his own photographs.  These are always manipulated to a greater or lesser extent, by methods including cropping, photocopying, collage and computer program.  Drawings are often produced as an intermediate stage, so that the final oil painting can be produced from aspects of several processes.  Developing a photographic likeness is never Harry’s aim.

BIOGRAPHY

1947       Born Gateshead.
1963-1997    Worked in Government service.
1989-1997     Open College of the Arts: Painting 1- 4 & Advanced.
1997-2001     BA (Hons) Fine Art, Newcastle University.

Solo Shows

1995    Harry Bell (Paintings) – University Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne.
1999    The Samling Foundation at Dovenest, Windermere.
2000    Aphrodite’s Island - Gallagher & Turner Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne

Selected group shows

1990  Britain's Painters - Westminster Galleries, London.
1993  John Laing Art Competition - Mall Galleries, London.
Open Door (20 Young British Painters) - London John Laing Art Competition - Mall Galleries, London,
1995  John Laing Art Competition - Mall Galleries, London.
1996  The Journal Art Competition - Newcastle upon Tyne.
1997  The Journal Art Competition - Newcastle upon Tyne.
1998  Art from the North East -  ING Barings, London. The Royal Scottish Academy  Annual Exhibition, Edinburgh.
The Foundation Alumni Exhibition: Harry Bell and Julian Vilarrubi – Theatre by the Lake, Keswick.
2001 The People Show – University Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Five Contemporaries - Shire Pottery Gallery & Studios, Alnwick.
Diverse Visions – Art House Gallery,  Musselburgh.
Degree Show -  Hatton Gallery, University of Newcastle.
Our Town -  Gallagher & Turner Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne.
2002  Eye Opener – 1st Durham Open Art Exhibition, Durham.
Art at the Biscuit Factory - Newcastle upon Tyne.The People Show – University Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Summer Collection – Reubens Gallery, Leeds.
Peculier Vision – Mashamshire Arts Festival, Masham. Shire Pottery Gallery & Studios, Alnwick.
L S Lowry and Those He Inspired -  Gallery 27, Cork St., London.
Summer Collection – Reubens Gallery, Leeds.
Figure 8 – Long Gallery, University of Newcastle.
Autumn Show – The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Fi-Fie-Fo-Fum Gallery – Newton, Northumberland.
The Picture House – Harrogate.
Fi-Fie-Fo-Fum Gallery – Newton, Northumberland.
The Picture House – Harrogate.
Figure 8: Streetworks – Shire Pottery Gallery, Alnwick
The Affordable Art Fair – Battersea Park, London
Cravens Art Prize 2006 – University Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne
Fresh - Purple Gallery, Bournville, Birmingham
Figure 8: Pictures Not Words – The Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley
Figure 8 - Customs House, South Shields
2007 Focus on the Figure – The Art Works, Newcastle upon Tyne
Figure 8: Paintings – The Guildhall, Newcastle upon Tyne
2008 Figure 8: Seen in Colour – Central Library Gallery, Gateshead
Heritage Buildings in Gateshead – Central Library Gallery, Gateshead.
Figure 8: Colour Room – Myles Meehan Gallery, Darlington.
Figure 8 Paintings – Corner Gallery, The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle.
Colourworks – Tom McGuinness Gallery, Bishop Auckland.
NewcastleGateshead Art Fair – The Sage, Gateshead.

COMMISSIONS, PRIZES and AWARDS

Regional prizewinner, John Laing Art competition

1996   Second Prize,  The Journal Art Competition, Newcastle upon Tyne
1997   First Prize, The Journal Art Competition, Newcastle upon Tyne
Commission: Two paintings (2 x 12 feet and 2 x 8 feet) for the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne.
2004   The Rotsler Award, Loscon, Los Angeles
2006   Commission: Painting  “ 89 Cornwall Street” for Wenham Major Ltd.

COLLECTIONS

John Laing (North East) plc.

Andersen Consulting.

Newcastle Chronicle & Journal Limited.
The Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne.
The Samling Foundation
Seaham Hall Ltd
The City of Komatsu, Japan
Private collections in the UK, New Zealand and the USA.