Jill Bell

Artist Statement: I am drawn to the inherent humor that exists amid life’s hardships. Life is often simultaneously laughable and heart-wrenching. For me, the fascination lies in the contrasting emotions that can exist together in the same moment. My work explores the tension, irony, and contradiction that result from this conflict. My figurative work places characters in predicaments that are both real and surreal. Initially, the viewer may see these situations as comical. On closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the characters are trapped by their own physical and/or emotional boundaries, and what was once viewed with humor is now seen with empathy. This glimpse of human fragility is what stirs me. I find this vulnerability endearing, beautiful, and universal. More recently, I have expanded this exploration into a series of abstract ceramic wall pieces. Inspired in part by the forms, compositions, and unexpected juxtapositions of contemporary brooches, these works explore how shapes interact with one another and with the space around them. I am particularly interested in positive and negative space, the relationship between what is present and what is absent, and how the space surrounding a form can become an active part of the work. Through abstraction, I am continuing to explore tension, balance, contrast, and the complexities of how seemingly disparate elements can exist together.

Portfolio Images