Queen Nancy Bell creates vibrant abstractions in her pursuit to spread the word of God, which she has proclaimed as her life’s work. Her business card reads, "Done by the fingertips of Jesus, the fingertips of Jehovah, and the gospel of the Holy Spirit, amen. Master artist ordained by the churches.” In addition to “Queen,” Bell sometimes refers to herself at "Bishop” or “Reverend” Nancy Bell, and says her previous occupations have included ordained minister, psychiatrist, registered nurse, and plainclothes detective. She considers the figures she paints in gouache, ink, and acrylic on paper as “Jesus,es” [sic], her imagination a conduit to summon designs for clothing and other adornments for the divine. Guided by her devotion, Bell animates her painted and drawn forms with spirited marks in rich golden and jewel tones. Many are gilded with omniscient, eye-like shapes and crowned by sunburst and mandala patterns—ornament and illumination meant to transcend worlds.
“Queen” Nancy Bell, Knicoma Frederick, Jenny Cox, Dwayne Boone, Paige Donovan, Geraldo Gonzalez
(group)
Group show curated by Alex Baker
Arts Project Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Sep 21–Oct 19, 2019
Jenny Cox, Saw Red Cap Bag, 2016, marker on paper, 18 x 24 inches, JCOX 21
Edward M. Gómez on the Outsider Art Fair New York 2019 in Hyperallergic
Image: Queen Nancy Bell