b. 1977, Montréal, QC; lives and works in Utrecht, NL

Education
2022-present Speaking without metaphor; Advanced bicycling (Utrecht, NL)
2018-2022 Introduction to historical home repair; Sidewalk gardening; Wild swimming (Amsterdam, NL)
2015 MFA Visual Art, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
2002 BA Art History (with distinction), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB

Residencies and Awards
2018 BC Arts Council Professional Development Travel Grant
2017 BC Arts Council Project Assistance to Visual Artists Grant
2016 Canada Council for the Arts International Residencies Grant
2016 Artist-in-Residence, Studios at MASS MoCA, North Adams, MA
2015 Dean’s Scholarship, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
2015 RBC Canadian Painting Competition (Finalist)
2013 RBC Canadian Painting Competition (Finalist)
2013 Graduate Admission Scholarship, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON

Invitations
2020 Graduate Mentor, Ottawa Art Gallery (Ottawa, ON)
2017 Artist Talk, Contemporary Art Society of Vancouver and Unit 17 (Vancouver, BC)
2016 Artist Talk, Ottawa Art Gallery (Ottawa, ON)
2015 Panel Discussion, Why Painting Now? with Eric Fischl, Melanie Authier, Colin Muir Dorward, Gavin Lynch, Stanzie Tooth and Jinny Yu; moderated by Ming Tiempo, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy's Contemporary Conversations program, the Canada Council for the Arts Art Bank and Carleton University (Ottawa, ON)
2014 Research Intern to Andrea Kunard, Associate Curator Photographs, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, ON. Research summary: the practice and incidence of material theatre in Canadian contemporary photography
2013 Guest lecturer, UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (Vancouver, BC) for The Soul of Nature: Representation(s) in Landscape Architecture at the invitation of Alyssa Schwann, UBCSALA Visiting Professor and Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba, Faculty of Architecture

Selected Exhibition History: Solo, Two-Person
2018 Adding Softly, Hardly Subtracting with Robert Taite, AXENÉO7, Gatineau, QC
2017 Fits and Starts, Central Art Garage, Ottawa, ON
2017 Jessica Bell, curated by Tobin Gibson, Unit 17, Vancouver, BC
2015 P.S., Central Art Garage, Ottawa, ON
2015 Should we stop here?, Initial Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2015 All things being equal. (MFA Thesis Exhibition), Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa, ON
2012 Cul-de-sac, curated by Randy Grskovic, Good Luck Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2011 Material Landscape with Kuh del Rosario, Yactac Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2011 Assembling Place, curated by Nan Capogna, Richmond Art Gallery (offsite), Richmond, BC

Selected Exhibition History: Group
2019 Abstract Answers, curated by Dr. Riva Symko, Kimura Gallery, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK
2017 Shelter, Seton Hill University and the Society for Contemporary Craft, Greensburg, PA
2015 This is Us Now, Karsh-Masson Gallery, Ottawa, ON
2015 RBC Canadian Painting Competition, Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2015 SHOW.15, curated by Iga Janik, Idea Exchange, Cambridge, ON
2015 Col.la.ge II, mini galerie, Amsterdam, NL
2014 Process, Karsh-Masson Gallery, Ottawa, ON
2014 Fresh Paint/New Construction, Art Mûr, Montreal, PQ
2014 The Material Form: Contemporary Abstract Painting, Gallery Jones, Vancouver, BC
2013 RBC Canadian Painting Competition, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, ON
2013 Co/Exist: New Sensibilities in Collage, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Milwaukee, WI
2013 the Diarist, the Commentator & the Seer: Jen Osborne, Andy Dixon & Jessica Bell, Initial Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2012 make_space_copy.jpg, curated by Lynnette Miranda, The Plaines Project, Chicago, IL
2012 Medley, curated by Peter Kepha, Chicago Urban Art Society, Chicago, IL
2012 BAN DA LOOP, Shudder Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2011 Monument(al) with Sarah Gee and Aaron Moran, East Van Studio, Vancouver, BC

Collaborative Projects
2021-present Ordinary Time, paintings made with walking
2021-2022 Everything in pieces, a writing project with (and in spite of) a Dutch house
2020-2021 Letters*, a year of correspondence through collage with strangers and friends
2018 Adding Softly, Hardly Subtracting, a collaborative painting project in space, developed for AXENÉO7 in Gatineau, Quebec with Winnipeg-based artist Robert Taite
2017 Close to Home, a making project in conversation with efforts by Diana MacCrae, Patricia Prince and Mary Skoczko, supported by the BC Arts Council
2017 Effort 01, a performance work made with artist and choreographer Laura Taler for Fits and Starts, presented in Ottawa on April 7, 2017

Selected Bibliography
2019 Novotny, John. “Exploring the limits of feminist expression in ‘Abstract Answers.’” The Northern Light (online, link expired).
2017 Durey, Lucien. “Art in 2017: A View from Vancouver.” Canadian Art (online). http://canadianart.ca/features/art-2017-view-vancouver/
2017 Nuttle, Rupert. “Ottawa Report: New Romantics, Old Punks.” Canadian Art (online). http://canadianart.ca/reviews/ottawa-report-new-romantics-old-punks/
2017 Mousse Magazine. “Jessica Bell at Unit 17, Vancouver.” Mousse Magazine (online). http://moussemagazine.it/jessica-bell-unit-17-vancouver-2017/
2015 RBC Canadian Painting Competition Catalogue. 2015: 16-17. Print.
2014 Gutierrez, Claudia and Olivia Johnston. “Jessica Bell: Replace, Repurpose.” Herd Magazine. #07, Fall 2014: 6-9. Print.
2014 Index Book. CUT OUT FOR COLLAGE. Index Book: Barcelona, 2014: 70-73. Print.
2014 Krysa, Danielle. Creative Block: Get Unstuck, Discover New Ideas. Advice & Projects from 50 Successful Artists. Chronicle Books: San Francisco, 2014: 18-21. Print. 2013 RBC Canadian Painting Competition Catalogue: Fifteen-Year Anniversary. 2013: 14-15. Print.
2011 Stefanucci, Tracy (Ed). Counterparts: OCW Magazine. 5.3/#19, 2011: 40, 41, 44, 45. Print.