Deborah Bell

Collaboration History Deborah Bell’s first collaboration with David Krut was in 2000 when he introduced her to Jack Shirreff and his 107 Workshop in Wiltshire, United Kingdom, where Krut had been collaborating with accomplished international artists since 1981. The introduction enabled the completion of Bell’s first editions, published by David Krut, of large copper plate etchings that she had begun in Johannesburg. In 2004, David Krut Publishing released TAXI-010 Deborah Bell, part of the TAXI Art Books Series, the first cohesive publications on contemporary South African artists that had started in 2000. This book was the first monograph on the work of Bell, and reviewed her work up until that time as a sculptor, painter and printmaker. In the run-up to the book’s publication, Bell had started to collaborate with the newly-established David Krut Workshop (DKW) on various etchings, including work on the Ulysses series. In 2009 and 2010, Bell had her first solo exhibitions with David Krut Projects (DKP), titled Collaborations I and Collaborations II. The latter was accompanied by Alchemy, a book publication by David Krut Publishing, which explored her printmaking collaborations, and formed the basis of an exhibition at David Krut Projects Cape Town. In 2015, DKP Johannesburg presented Renunciation, a solo exhibition focused on the artist as a printmaker, further...

Bell (born 1957) is a leading painter, sculptor and printmaker in South Africa. While her early work was more political, her work across different media she is more recently concerned with worlds in between: the realm between “mortality and immortality, matter and spirit, presence and absence, the quotidian and the mythic, the grounded and transcendent.” Bell has noted, of her practice: “The idea of an artist as a magician delights me. It is about alchemy and the turning of base material into gold.” Bell’s work is fundamentally informed by a personal search for the ‘Self’ and she often draws on spiritual imagery from a wide range of sources. Multi-layered references and connection to ancient sources and memories is linked to her spiritual beliefs and how she defines herself as an artist in Africa. This continuity of form and content within Bell’s oeuvre allows the possible meanings within her work to reach beyond the personal search of the artist herself. She is the winner of multiple awards and her works lie in numerous collections, including the Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg; Museum of Modern Art, New York; National Gallery of Art and Smithsonian Institute, both Washington, D.C..

Artworks

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Print of the Month: Deborah Bell “Wolf Cave”
Feb. 27, 2025

Wolf Cave, 2018, Drypoint and spitbite 90 x 121 cmDeborah Bell’s Wolf Cave (2018) is a hauntingly introspective work that...

Tags: Arts on Main, David Krut, David Krut Print Workshop, Deborah Bell, Jillian Ross
David Krut Workshop | Where we are!
Jul. 25, 2024

The David Krut Workshop (DKW) is the centre of David Krut Project’s artistic collaborations. David Krut Workshop is located in downtown Johannesburg,...

Tags: Arts on Main, Center for the Less Good Idea, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects, David Krut Projects Arts on Main, David Krut Projects Johannesburg, David Krut Workshop, Home of the Bean, Jillian Ross, Mary Sibande, Mikhael Subotzky, Mikhael Subotzy, Printmaking, Project Inflamed, william kentridge
The Matter, The Maker and The Made: The work of Deborah Bell.
Nov. 2, 2023

Written by Danijela Cook  Deborah Bell began collaborating with David Krut Projects (DKP) in 2000, after her introduction to Jack...

Tags: Arts on Main, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects, Jillian Ross, Monotype, Printmaking
David Krut Podcast & Video Playlist: Womens Month 2020
Aug. 11, 2020

The David Krut Projects team wishes you a very HAPPY WOMEN'S MONTH!! We are keeping you inspired by bringing you...

Tags: David Krut Podcast, Female Artists, podcasts, Videos, Women's Month
DO-IT-AT-HOME ACTIVITIES
May. 19, 2020

Click Here INTAGLIO PRINT SERIES RELIEF PRINT SERIES

Tags: Chad Cordeiro, David Krut Print Workshop, Deborah Bell, Heidi Fourie, intaglio print series, Kim-Lee Loggenberg, Linocut, live zoom demos, Lynda Ballen, Maja Maljević, Monotype, Olivia Botha, Pebofatso Mokoena, pochior, relief print series, Roxy Kaczmarek, Sarah Judge, Sbongiseni Khulu, zhi zulu
DK Inside Stories | Deborah Bell | Aware of Being Aware | 2017
May. 12, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ualJhXPOfr0 DK Inside Stories | Deborah Bell | Aware of Being Aware, 2017 | Presented by Kim - Lee Loggenberg...

Tags: aware of being aware, David Krut Print Workshop, Deborah Bell, etching, Inside Story, Intaglio, Kim-Lee Loggenberg, Phil Sanders, Printmaking
Intaglio Printmaking Demo with Chad Cordeiro – DKW
May. 11, 2020

CLICK HERE to view the William Kentridge Why Should I Hesitate Collectible Box Set - Prepublication Offer Join David Krut...

Tags: Chad Cordeiro, cordeiro&sheppard, covid-19 lockdown, David Krut Projects Arts on Main, David Krut Workshop, Deborah Bell, Intaglio, lockdown sessions, printmakers, printmaking south africa, sketchbook
Deborah Bell – Sketchbook series, 2017 – ongoing
Oct. 16, 2018

Deborah Bell’s initial ideas are often conceived from her visual notebooks, where the spontaneity of her quick, private drawings seem...

Tags: Arts on Main, Collaborative printmaking, David Krut Print Workshop, Deborah Bell, Drypoint, edition, etching, invocations to the plate, Jillian Ross, Printmaking, series, sketchbook, sketchbooks, Tools
Rotation of the flywheel – DKCT visits DKW
Sep. 14, 2018

The David Krut Workshop is a collaborative printmaking studio where selected artists work with master printer Jillian Ross and her...

Tags: Arts on Main, Collaborative printmaking, David Krut, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects, David Krut Projects Cape Town, Exhibition, Printmaking
Chine-collé Demonstration by Master Printer Jillian Ross on Deborah Bell’s ‘Breath, 2017’
Jul. 30, 2018

In this video, Master Printer Jillian Ross from the David Krut Workshop demonstrated the process of preparing thin paper for...

Tags: david krut gallery, David Krut Print Workshop, Deborah Bell, invocations to the plate, Jillian Ross
Inside Story: Deborah Bell – Wolf Cave, 2018
Jul. 29, 2018

Printer Kim-Lee Loggenberg provides some insight into Wolf Cave (2018) by Deborah Bell, created in collaboration with the David Krut...

Tags: David Krut Workshop, Deborah Bell, invocations to the plate, Kim-Lee Loggenberg, Printmaking
Print of the Month (July 2018) Deborah Bell
Jul. 13, 2018

[caption id="attachment_48382" align="aligncenter" width="418"] Deborah Bell, Frial Crown, 2017, Edition of 40, Chine Collé and Drypoint, 47 x 37cm.[/caption] Frail...

Tags: Chad Cordeiro, Chine Collé, Deborah Bell, Drypoint, figure, frail crown, Jillian Ross, Phil Sanders
DKW’s Canadian intern Lacia Vogel
Jun. 1, 2018

My passion for printmaking began in 2009. I was studying fine arts at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna, BC, Canada, and...

Tags: David Krut, David Krut Workshop, Intern
Deborah Bell – Invocations to the Plate
May. 16, 2018

David Krut Projects is proud to announce new editions by Deborah Bell.  The series was launched at her exhibition Invocations...

Tags: Artist, Arts on Main, Chine Collé, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects, David Krut Projects Arts on Main, Deborah Bell, DKW, Drypoint, etching
DKW Intern | Sarah Hunkin
May. 16, 2018

I have come to realize that a print workshop like David Krut, is not all about the inking up and...

Tags: Artist, Arts on Main, David Krut Projects, David Krut Projects Johannesburg, David Krut Workshop, Intern, Jillian Ross, Monotype, print workshop, Printmaking, Sarah Hunkin, Triumphs and Laments Woodcuts, William Kentrdige, Woodcut
Technical Demonstration on Chine-collé – Deborah Bell’s Invocations to the Plate
Apr. 26, 2018

Deborah Bell's Invocations to the Plate technical demonstration On the 21st of April 2018 the David Krut Gallery hosted a technical...

Tags: Arts on Main, Chine, Chine Collé, Collaborative printmaking, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects Arts on Main, Deborah Bell, Drypoint, etching, Exhibition, Jillian Ross, Kim-Lee Loggenberg, Print demonstration, Roxy Kaczmarek
The Proof is in the Printmaking
Apr. 20, 2018

Explaining Proofs in printmaking at the David Krut Workshop (DKW) At the David Krut Workshop (DKW) we specialize in edition...

Tags: David Krut Workshop, Editions, print glossary, print terms, printmakers, Printmaking, Proofs, State Proofs, workshop
Invocations to the Plate | Deborah Bell | Opening Night
Apr. 17, 2018

It was a wonderful opening to the latest Deborah Bell exhibition Invocations to the Plate, at our Parkwood gallery on...

Tags: Deborah Bell, Exhibition, Exhibition openings
Artist Series E05 | How to Speak About Deborah Bell
Jan. 4, 2018

HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT DEBORAH BELL SERIES (PART 1) An Introduction to Deborah Bell: This podcast is part of the...

Tags: David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects, Printmaking
Deborah Bell Collaboration Continues
Oct. 17, 2017

The American Master Printer Phil Sanders, returned for his second visit this year in September (2017), to continue working in...

Tags: Arts on Main, Collaboration, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects, David Krut Projects Arts on Main, David Krut Projects Johannesburg, Deborah Bell, DKW, Drypoint, etching, Hahnemuhle, Jillian Ross, Phil Sanders, Printmaking, spitbite
Print of the Month | Deborah Bell, Breath, 2017
Sep. 15, 2017

[caption id="attachment_45613" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Breath 2017, Soft ground, drypoint, spit bite aquatint etching with hand colouring and hand coloured chine...

Tags: aqua, aquatint, Arts on Main, breath, Chine Collé, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects, David Krut Projects Arts on Main, David Krut Projects Johannesburg, Deborah Bell, DKW, Drypoint, etching, Jillian Ross, Phil Sanders, Printmaking, Spitbite aquatint
A Conversation with Phil Sanders
Sep. 8, 2017

David Krut Workshop in conversation with American Master Printer Phil Sanders about the recent collaboration with South African artist Deborah...

Tags: Arts on Main, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects Johannesburg, Deborah Bell, Drypoint, etching, Phil Sanders, Printmaking, South Africa
Deborah Bell – Aware of Being Aware, 2017
Jul. 29, 2017

Printer Kim-Lee Loggenberg gives insight into the intaglio print 'Aware of being Aware' by artist Deborah Bell, made in collaboration...

Tags: David Krut Print Workshop, Deborah Bell, Kim-Lee Loggenberg, Printmaking
Subtle differences | Chine collé
Jul. 13, 2017

[caption id="attachment_44996" align="aligncenter" width="519"] Deborah Bell, Memo (Version A) uses torn colourful sheets of chine to highlight certain parts of...

Tags: Arts on Main, Chine, Chine Collé, Colle, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects Arts on Main, Deborah Bell, Drypoint, Emalie Bingham, etching, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Japanese Paper, Jillian Ross, Lorenzo Nassimbeni, Lynda Ballen, paper, Printmaking, Quinten Williams, Washi
A visit to the Workshop
Jun. 23, 2017

A highlight in an average day for the team at David Krut Workshop (DKW) is the appearances of curious people...

Tags: Arts on Main, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects, David Krut Projects Johannesburg, Deborah Bell, Jillian Ross, Monotype, Phil Sanders, Printmaking, William Kentridge (Universal Archive)
Deborah Bell | New Etchings 2017

Jun. 14, 2017

We are pleased to announce a new series of three complex etchings by Deborah Bell, which has been created in...

Tags: aqautint, Arts on Main, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects, David Krut Projects Arts on Main, David Krut Projects Johannesburg, Deborah Bell, Diego Velazquez, etching, Jillian Ross, Phil Sanders, Picasso, spit bite
Painterly Printmaking using Spitbite
May. 19, 2017

American Master Printer Phil Sanders visited the David Krut Workshop (DKW) in March 2017 to work with Master Printer Jillian Ross...

Tags: Arts on Main, Collaborative printmaking, David Krut, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects, David Krut Projects Arts on Main, Deborah Bell, Drypoint, Jillian Ross, Phil Sanders, Printmaking
David Krut ARCHIVE
Apr. 6, 2017

DAVID KRUT PROJECTS ARCHIVE Opening the Archives Opening the Archives gives the public the opportunity to view and buy works...

Tags: David Krut Archive
Deborah Bell at DKW with Phil Sanders
Mar. 31, 2017

There has been a flurry of activity at DKW over the past two weeks. The American Master Printer Phil Sanders,...

Tags: Arts on Main, David Krut Print Workshop, Deborah Bell, Drypoint, etching, Intaglio, Jillian Ross, Phil Sanders, Printmaking
Bell | Kentridge | Victor – Installation Images
Dec. 19, 2016

Installation images of Bell | Kentridge | Victor, a group exhibition currently running at David Krut Projects Cape Town, until...

Tags: 2016, DKCT
Baltimore Contemporary Print Fair 2015
Apr. 7, 2015

Browse the gallery for highlights and captions from this year's Baltimore Contemporary Print Fair. #bcpf15 Participating Exhibitors: Center Street Studio...

Tags: 2015, art fair, Baltimore, Baltimore Print Fair, New York
Deborah Bell Signs New Editions at DKW
Oct. 10, 2014

10 October, 2014 Deborah Bell was at the David Krut Print Workshop (DKW) at Arts on Main this week signing...

Tags: D
Phil Sanders and Deborah Bell at David Krut Print Workshop (Arts on Main)
Sep. 9, 2014

The past week American Master Printer and Director of Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, Phil Sanders and his wife, Sarah (also...

Tags: Arts on Main, Collaborative printmaking, David Krut Print Workshop, Deborah Bell, Jillian Ross, Kim-Lee Loggenberg, Neo Mahlasela, Phil Sanders, Printmaking, Robert Blackburn Print Workshop
David Krut to Participate in the Year’s E|AB Fair, NYC
Jul. 14, 2014

The Editions | Artists' Books Fair is coming back to NYC this Fall, 2014! Stay tuned to find more news...

Tags: 2014, art fair, E|AB, E|AB Fair
Deborah Bell at DKW, Arts on Main
Apr. 25, 2014

In February this year Deborah Bell collaborated with Master Printer Phil Sanders on a series of new drypoints and etchings....

Tags: Arts on Main, David Krut Print Workshop, DKW, Drypoint
Deborah Bell and Phil Sanders at DKW Arts on Main
Feb. 14, 2014

Master Printer Phil Sanders is working at David Krut Print Workshop with Deborah Bell on a series of new etchings...

Tags: aquatint, Arts on Main, David Krut Print Workshop, Drypoint, Printmaking, spitbite
Arts on Main: Contemporary Prints From South Africa – Syracuse University Art Gallery
Jan. 25, 2014

Opens 30 January 2014 Syracuse, NY - The Syracuse University Art Galleries is pleased to present Arts on Main: Contemporary...

Tags: Arts on Main, David Krut Print Workshop, David Krut Projects New York, Syracuse
THE PRINT SHOW at Ebony Cape Town, Installation Images
Jun. 18, 2013

Here are a few installation images of THE PRINT SHOW, a collaboration between David Krut Projects and Ebony Cape Town....

Tags: Collaboration, Printmaking
Deborah Bell signing
May. 14, 2013

David Krut Print Workshop (DKW) recently completed the editioning of Deborah Bell's new prints Extinguish My Eyes and Seal My...

Tags: signing
Deborah Bell at David Krut Print Workshop, Arts on Main
Feb. 25, 2012

Deborah Bell recently completed a series of new prints which were first showcased at the 2012 Joburg Art Fair. Below...

Untitled: DKW Summer Show (5 November 2011 – 21 January 2012)
Nov. 1, 2011

The David Krut Projects Summer Show for 2011 features artworks from a wide selection of artists, most of whom have...

Tags: David Krut Projects, Exhibition Post
David Krut Projects at Joburg Art Fair 2011
Sep. 17, 2011

David Krut Projects will be showcasing work by Bruce Backhouse, Gail Behrmann, Deborah Bell, Bronwen Findlay, Claire Gavronsky, Joseph Hart, Stephen...

Tags: First Cut, Johannesburg Art Fair 2011
IMPRINT: Selected Editions and Works on Paper, Installation Images
Jul. 20, 2011

David Krut Projects is pleased to present IMPRINT, a selection of editions and works on paper by local and international...

David Krut Projects Cape Town Exhibition Installation
May. 19, 2011

Below are a selection of installation images from the current exhibitions running at David Krut Projects Cape Town. For more...

Tags: Cape Town, Exhibition
David Krut Projects Cape Town: New Exhibitions of Work by William Kentridge and Deborah Bell
May. 7, 2011

From 9 May until 31 July 2011 two concurrent exhibitions will be running at David Krut Projects Cape Town. For...

Tags: David Krut Projects Cape Town, Exhibition Post
Deborah Bell: Cry Me a River: a tribute to Robert Hodgins
May. 4, 2011

Deborah Bell created this etching in March 2010. At the time she was working at 107 Workshop, in the UK...

Tags: Profile
Deborah Bell’s Alchemy: Exhibition at DKP, Cape Town
Apr. 15, 2011

      [caption id="attachment_7681" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Deborah Bell and David Krut at the opening of "Collaborations II" at DKP,...

Tags: David Krut Projects Cape Town, Deborah Bell, Exhibition Post
FILM: David Krut Talks About Deborah Bell’s ‘Harmonia’ and ‘Harmonia 1′
Dec. 29, 2010

Camerawork and Editing: Liesl van Wyk © TAXI Art Films and David Krut Publishing

Tags: Film
Deborah Bell Biography
Jan. 14, 2000

Deborah Bell is a leading painter, sculptor and printmaker in South Africa. She received her B.A. (Hons) and M.F.A. degrees...

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