Richard Bell
APT8
Kamilaroi/Jiman/Kooma People
Born 1953, Charleville, Australia
Lives and works in Brisbane, Australia
Richard Bell creates satirical works that raise issues regarding stereotypical ideas of Aboriginal people, culture and art, and the forces that drive the production of Aboriginal art today. Bell was a political activist in the 1980s (and continues to be active in this regard) before becoming known for his appropriation paintings, videos and installations. Larry 2015 was filmed in Venice, Italy, the site of one of the biggest and oldest Biennales in the world. It sees Bell adopting the persona of a wealthy gallerist and businessman to engage viewers with uncomfortable realities. Larry highlights the ways in which Aboriginal art has become a highly desirable and marketable commodity, while also functioning as satirical projection of the generalisations made about Indigenous peoples in Australia. Bell's work is deliberately provocative and bold, aiming to create discussion and reflection as an ongoing process of activism.
Richard Bell has also worked with the QAGOMA Children's Art Centre to develop a project for APT8 Kids.
Richard Bell / Kamilaroi/Jiman/Kooma people / Australia b.1953 / Larry (still) 2015 / Writer, Producer, Production Design: Richard Bell; Digital video; 10:16 minutes, colour, sound, ed. of 5; Co-producer: Josh Milani; Director, Editor: Brad Lindenmayer; Cinematography: Jarryd Hall (Venice), Mark Broadbent (Brisbane); Special Guest Artists: Chicks on Speed; Music: Alex Murray-Leslie, Melissa Logan, Christopher Just; Costume and Make-up Design: Hannah Cooper-McCoy; Sound Design: Daniel Borodin / Special thanks to proppaNOW / This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body / Courtesy: Richard Bell and Milani Gallery, Brisbane / © The artists
