Research from Bell, Victoria - Otago Polytechnic

Researcher profile for Victoria Bell

Profile

Research Outputs

Victoria Bell

Victoria.Bell@op.ac.nz

Victoria Bell holds Head of Programme and Principal Lecturer roles in Te Maru Pūmanawa - The College of Creative Practice and Enterprise. She has extensive work experience in programme management and coordination and is a skilled visual arts lecturer, teaching especially textiles at undergraduate and post graduate level (Levels 5-9). Victoria moved to Ōtepoti Dunedin, from Ōtautahi Christchurch, in 2006, to undertake a Master of Fine Arts at The Dunedin School of Art, and joined the school as kaimahi the same year. Her art practice is founded upon a textiles sensibility that is poised between textiles and sculpture, drawing upon the tensions and slippages between art and craft histories. Known for making soft sculpture, more recent research has been collaborative, with projects devoted to group shows that examine textiles in more fluid and interpretive ways. As well as her MFA, Victoria has achieved a Bachelor of Design (Craft Art) from the School of Art & Design, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT), Diploma in Art Aotearoa (Honours) from the Design and Arts College of New Zealand and Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Learning and Teaching from Otago Polytechnic. In 2005 she received The Olivia Spencer Bower Award. Victoria provides supportive supervisory relationships for postgraduate students, fostering their ambition and rigour and recognising the importance of community and connection when developing new research.

Journal Issues

See a list of articles published in issues of: Scope: Contemporary Research Topics by this researcher.

Research Stories

The Body Political

The art of giving

Zellmer, J. Yuying, G., Wong, A., Wilkinson,M., Webster,E., Videler, S., Turei, M., Sarandov, Y., Rothwell, A. Ran, H., O’Connell, H., Muggeridge, A., Last, A., Jowett, E., Hunt, L., Hartdegen, S., Grigg, L., Daly, A., Chung, Y. and Bell, V. (2019) CLINKPROJECT5: Lost and Found. Scope Contemporary Research Topics, Art & Design, 18, 55-63.

Researcher Profiles:
Victoria Bell, Andrew Last, Johanna Zellmer

Bell,V. (2018) CLINKProject5: Lost & Found Group Show, Tuesday 14 August, Auckland Viaduct,

Smith, N., & Bell, V. (2018) UNBOUND the Exhibition: Project Report Scope: Contemporary Research Topics: Art & Design, Issue 16 November 2018 ISSN: 1177-5653 (hardcopy) 1177-5661 (online)

Bell,V. (2018) Public Presentation of The Body Political: Wearable Objects as Social Tools. Group Show, The Short Black Box: Fringe Festival, Fringe HQ, 26 Princes Street, Dunedin. 8th - 10th March 2018.

Bell, V., & Smith, N. (2018) Unbound: The Exhibition – Contemporary Reflections on the Changeability of Dress, Bodies and Sexualities Costume and Textile Association of New Zealand Annual Symposium 2018. "Unbound: Liberating Women". 22-23 September, 2018. Otago Poytechnic, Dunedin.

Bell, V. (2017) 'Not At Home [Rakops, Botswana]'. 'The Cleveland National Art Awards'. Otago Art Society, Dunedin Railway Station, Dunedin. 29 April - 28 May, 2017. Artworks selcted for exhibition by Otago Art Society Panel. Award judged by artist Denise Copland.

Bell, V. (2016) 'The 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT8), A Survey.' Invited seminar presentation delivered as part of the 'Dunedin School of Art Public Research Seminar Programm at Otago Polytechnic', 1-hour paper with slides, 21 July 2016.

Bell, V. (2015) Drape, Frill and Flounce: An Abbreviated History of the Curtain in the Western Tradition. Symposium paper presented at ‘Art and Design: A Symposium,’ Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, 16-17 October.

Bell, V. (2013) Resisting Africa Project (Auckland). The Window Gallery, Objectspace, 8 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland, 19 October-20 November. Curated by Objectspace director Philip Clark. Three selected sculptures were exhibited earlier in the year at 339 Remuera Road, Auckland, Saturday 16 March, for 'White Night', Auckland Arts Festival, 6-24 March 2013, Auckland. Jillian De Beer curated this event with funding support from the Remuera Business Association and private patrons.

Bell, V. (2013) 'The Sheltering Sky' in 'The Material World: Sculpture at the Dunedin School of Art 2002-2013'. Group Exhibition, Dunedin School of Art Gallery, at Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin. 6th May - 31st May.

Bell, V. (2012) Resisting Africa: Notes on an Exhibition. Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Art & Design), Vol 7, December 2012, pp. 129-135, ISSN (for hardcopy version): 1177-5653; ISSN (for online version): 1177-5661. Scope: Contemporary Research, a double peer-reviewed journal.

Bell, V. (2012) ‘Resisting Africa’ Catalogue. Self published catalogue including an essay by Lydia Baxendell (approx. 2000 words) and interview by Gilbert May (approx. 800 words), colour format, 28 pages. ISBN 978-0-473-20908-7 (paperback) ISBN 978-0-473-20909-4 (PDF).

Bell, V., Fletcher, G., McKinlay, P. (2012) 'Pasifika Cool': Pacific Island Communities Exhibition and Events. Dunedin School of Art Gallery, Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic, Forth Street, Dunedin, 12, 15-26 October, 2012 (Artists: Catherine Cocker, Teina Ellia, Donald Harman, Bridget Inder, Tere Moeroa, Bronwyn Robson, David Te Ata and Michel Tuffery MNZM, shown with traditional artworks and the film 'Paranesia' by David Green and Dr Peter Stupples. The opening event involved a sit-down Pacific Island buffet and performances by "'Koile" and "Pacific Underground" (12/10/12)).

https://vimeo.com/51576204

Bell, V. (2011) 'Colonial Desire: Resisting Africa' (MFA dissertation). 'Colonial Desire: Resisting Africa' was a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Master of Fine Arts degree at the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic - Te Kura Matatini ki Otago, New Zealand (approx. 16,000 words). Supervised by Michele Beevors, Clive Humphreys and Professor Leoni Schmidt. Robertson Library, University of Otago, Dunedin. Externally examined by Anna-Marie White (curator, The Suter Art Gallery, Te Aratoi o Whaktu, Nelson) and Dr. Vijay Devadas (Head of Department, Media, Film and Communication, University of Otago).

Bell, V. (2011) ‘Resisting Africa’ (MFA solo exhibtion). ‘Temple Gallery’, 29 Moray Place, Dunedin, 12 August-3 September. Resisting Africa was an exhibition submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Master of Fine Arts degree at the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic - Te Kura Matatini ki Otago, New Zealand. Supervised by Michele Beevors, Clive Humphreys and Professor Leoni Schmidt. 4 large textiles-based sculptural artworks, externally examined by Anna-Marie White (curator, The Suter Art Gallery, Te Aratoi o Whaktu, Nelson) and Dr. Vijay Devadas (Head of Department, Media, Film and Communication, University of Otago).

Bell, V. (2011) 'Horseplay', textile sculpture exhibited in curated show 'Suture Self', Dunedin School of Art Gallery, 23 August - 2 September, 2011. Presented as part of ‘Art and Medicine: A Symposium’, hosted by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Otago and the Dunedin School of Art, Otago Polytechnic, on 6 August 2011, http://www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz/schools-departments/art/news-and-reviews/art-in-medicine-symposium.html

Bell, V. (2011) ‘I Dreamed of Africa’, textile sculpture exhibited in ‘The Yallop & Smith Memorial Exhibition’. Show held at ‘a gallery,’ 393 Princes Street, Dunedin. This group exhibition of more than 60 artists was curated by Jay Hutchinson in commemoration of the art collectors Ray Yallop and Des Smith, 15-30 October, 2011.http://agallerydunedin.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/the-yallop-smith-memorial-exhibition-2/ http://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/arts/183010/art-seen

Bell, V. (2010) 'Studio Practice Presentation'. Public seminar, Otago Secondary Teachers Workshop Weekend, Dunedin School of Art, Otago Polytechnic, 14 August.

Bell, V., Emmerson, N., Peyroux, S. and Ovens, S. (2010) 'Printmaking: Screenprinting On Paper & Textiles'. Otago Secondary Teachers Workshop Weekend, Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic, 14 - 15 August.

Bell, V. (2010) '(I must confess...)'. Hobart, Australia: Criterion Gallery. Catalogue essay produced to accompany an exhibition by Neil Emmerson entitled "(I must confess...)": New Work, 5 August - 4 September, 2010.

Bell, V. (2009) ‘Stanley Series’, screen printed and folded textile ‘drawings’, 8 units at 501mm x 76mm (each). Produced for the show ‘Southern Muster: Contemporary South Island Craft/Object Artists’, a selected group exhibition curated by Penny Orme, Mair Gallery, Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA), 29 April–9 May, 2009. ‘Southern Muster’ was an exhibition and symposium which considered contemporary South Island craft/object art and surveyed a range of ideologies and processes, identifying artists recognised for the quality of their practice. It placed senior practitioners alongside up-and-coming craftspeople, giving status to an emerging generation, http://www.coca.org.nz/exhibitions/115/

Bell, V. & Keller, C. (2009) 'Screen Printing Techniques for Teachers'. Conference Workshop: Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Art Educators (ANZAAE) Conference 2009 art works, mahi toi, Art and Design - Te Kura Matatini ki Otago with Kai Tahu ki Arai-Te-Uru, 20-23 April 2009.

Bell, V. (2009) ‘Resisting Africa: Project Premise’. Invited paper delivered as part of the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic Public Research Seminar Programme, 1-hour paper with slides, 9 September 2009.

Bell, V. & Houlihan, L. (2009) “Garden Ware: A Project Instigated by Julie Davies with Victoria Bell and Lee Houlihan for the Exhibition Instructional Models”. Artist pages in the journal Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Art & Design), Vol 4, November 2009, pp. 151-152, 350 words (illustrated); ISSN (for hardcopy version): 1177-5653; ISSN (for online version): 1177-5661. Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Art & Design) is a peer-reviewed journal and is on the EBSCO Database in recognition of academic quality and alignment with international peer-review processes, www.thescopes.org

Bell, V., with Davies, J., and Houlihan, L. (2009) ‘Garden Ware' (Albert Street, Brunswick West, Melbourne, Australia and Gwyn Street, Broad Bay, Ötepoti Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand) Series of 18 digital prints, 210mm x 297 mm (each). Produced for ‘Instructional Models’, Blue Oyster Art Project Space, Dunedin, 21 April – 16 May, 2009. ‘Instructional Models’ was a propositional exhibition instigated by Terri Bird and Julie Davies, in association with the artist-run initiatives Ocular Lab and Clubsproject Inc. in Melbourne. It was presented at Blue Oyster Art Project Space as part of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Art Educators 2009 Conference, hosted by Otago Polytechnic Art and Design with Kai Tahu ki Arai-Te-Uru in Otepoti Dunedin. For the project, a group of Otepoti Dunedin-based artists were invited to create works based on their interpretation of instructions sent to them by artists in Melbourne, http://www.blueoyster.org.nz/archives/2009-programme-2/instructional-models/

Bell, V. (2008) ‘Veil’, found commercially printed cotton and synthetic textiles, 137mm x 197mm (excluding frame). Produced for ‘POST Stitch to the Letter’, a group exhibition of 300 postcard-size pieces and 26 large quilt-size works from contemporary New Zealand textile artists, shown at Lopdell House Gallery, Titirangi, Waitakere City, 12 December, 2008 – 8 February, 2009.

Bell, V. (2007) 'A Whiter Shade of Pale: The John Money Collection at the Eastern Southland Gallery, Gore, New Zealand'. Invited paper delivered as part of the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic Public Research Seminar Programme, 1-hour paper with slides, 9 May, 2007.

Bell, V. and Muirhead, A., Ballard, S., Beevors, M., and 6 others. (2007) 'Back Boot Project'. The Back Boot Project utilised a moving exhibition space in the back of a 1986 Toyota Corolla. Each artist contributed individual projects to BBP – referring to ideas about mobility, non, or transitional spaces. ‘Horseplay’ was shown 2-10 Nov. From 13 Nov-1 Dec. A group show of all BBP contributions in poster format, and acompanied by remnants of the exhibitions, was shown at the Blue Oyster Art Project Space. 'Back Boot Project’ Catalogue was published by project curator Anna Muirhead, included an essay by Dr Su Ballard, and was supported by funding from Creative Communities (Dunedin City). Distributed through Blue Oyster Art Project Space and involved artists' networks. Lifesize textile saddle sculpture and woollen rug. Muirhead, Anna, with Su Ballard, Michele Beevors, Victoria Bell, Bekah Carran, Scott Eady, Michael Morley, Emily Pauling, Benjamin & Sydney Smith. “The Back Boot Project”, Junctures: The Journal for Thematic Dialogue, Vol 10: Group (2008), pp. 76-90 (illustrated).

Bell, V. (2007) 'Last Stitch on the Polyester Lei’. Invited paper delivered as part of the School of Art Seminar Programme, Australian National University (ANU), Canberra (part of the ‘Lightweight?’ exhibition and exchange activities), 30-minute paper with slides, 4 October 2007.

Bell, V. and Ralph Body, Jennifer Robertson, Julie Ryder, Christine Keller, (2007) "Lightweight?" Review of an Exhibition. Journal article which presented a review of the exhibition ‘Lightweight?’ by Ralph Body and four brief sets of notes on the exhibition by the organisers and travelling lecturer-artists, as one text, in Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Art & Design), Vol 2, November 2007, pp. 133-138 (illustrated). ISSN (for hardcopy version): 1177-5653; ISSN (for online version): 1177-5661. Scope: Contemporary Research Topics (Art & Design) is a peer-reviewed journal and is catalogued on the EBSCO Database in recognition of academic quality and alignment with international peer-review processes, www.thescopes.org

Bell, V., Keller, C., Kirk, V., Robertson, J., and 46 others. (2007) 'Lightweight?' Salisbury House Gallery, The Manse, 5 Smith Street, Dunedin, 24-30 August. Foyer Gallery, School of Art, Australian National University (ANU), Canberra, Australia, 3-7 October. ‘Lightweight?’ catalogue on CD-Rom produced by DSA and CAS students. 'White', waxed paper, glass bead and thread lei artwork. Review: Body, Ralph et al., “Lightweight? Review of an Exhibition.” Scope: Contemporary Research Topics, Art: 2, November 2007, pp. 133-138, see www.thescopes.org

Bell,V. (2006) 'New' (Solo Exhibition), Lower Gallery, Blue Oyster Art Project Space. Basement, 30 Moray Place, Dunedin, 1 - 19 August, 30 textile elements installed as 3 separate works.

Bell, V. (2006) 'Untitled', series of 6 screen printed textile ipod cases, 125mm x 90mm. Produced for the show 'MYPOD', a selected group exhibition by 100 artists, curated by Dr Victoria Edwards and CoCA Director Dr Warren Feeney, Canaday Gallery, Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA), Christchurch, 17 October - 5 November, 2006.

Bell, V. (2006) 'Victoria Bell: Art Practice Survey - 1999-2005'. Invited paper delivered as part of the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic Public Research Seminar Programme, 1-hour paper with slides, 6 September 2006.

Bell, V and Dr. Victoria Edwards. (2004) Dear Victoria. The Physics Room, Christchurch. 6 April - 1 May 2004.

Bell, V. (2004) Peacock Fountain/Design No.38. Solo Exhibition. Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA), Christchurch. Participant in the New Zealand Community Trust Art & Industry Urban Arts Biennial 04, 'SCAPE from a different angle'. SCAPE Biennial Catalogue. August - September 2004. Fountain: 2.2m x 2.2m x 4.2m and other elements.

Bell, V. (2003) Cat_ The Kiosk. The Physics Room, Christchurch. June 2003.

Bell, V. (2002) Paper, Scissors, Rock. Solo Exhibtion. Gridlocked Art Project, Christchurch. Curator: Tessa Giblin. 2002 (Toured to Dunedin, 2004 and Queenstown, 2003 http://www.physicsroom.org.nz/archived/gridlocked/onTour_queenstown.htm)

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