Futuristic Homes of Polynesia: Cardboard Fale

Little Orange Goes Big - Art Exhibition

Richard J Bell

Exhibition Dates 20th August 2022 - 16th October 2022

Location: Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.

Richard J Bell’s work explores the notion of transitioning from illness to wellness and resilience. He intends for the voice-hearing community to relate on a deep emotional level, finding comfort in his work. Bell explores his Polynesian culture through kupesi designs, often superimposed over photos he has taken during visits to Tonga. In 2020, he collaborated with artist Blake Thomas for a major permanent public work where their work was etched into metal (Rizal Park, NSW). In 2017 Bell’s memoir appeared in ‘Semicolon: Your story isn’t over’(Harper Collins). In 2015 he published ‘The Gospel of Schizophrenia’ (Amazon CreateSpace). In 2021 Bell was mentored by Tongan Culture consultant, Rosaline Uanivā Havea, supported by Create NSW.

“Due to rising sea levels, in the foreseeable future, Tonga’s people will be made homeless ecological refugees. Working on concepts of ‘futuristic nostalgia’, I have made a traditional Fale, woven from salvaged cardboard. The interior is decorated with photographs I’ve taken in Tonga between 2008-2018, interlaced with Kupesi paper-tole designs. I intend to bring awareness to this emotionally distressing situation and look back at ‘what has been lost’ ”.

– Richard J Bell, 2022

‘Futuristic Homes of Polynesia: Cardboard Fale’, 2019-2022

Mixed media

Dimensions variable