Robert Bell
Class of 1963
Class of 1963
Artist & Curator
Robert Bell graduated from Mount Lawley Senior High School in 1963. He particularly enjoyed art studies and considered the school's art teacher, Don Willis, was a great influence on his decision to pursue an arts career. Robert and Don remained in contact for many years.
Robert completed a Design degree at the Western Australian Institute of Technology and later earned a PhD from the Australian National University.
In 1967 he began work at the Western Australian Museum as a Senior Designer before becoming the Curator of Craft and Design at the Art Gallery of Western Australia in 1978, a position he held for 22 years.
From 2000 until 2016, Robert held the position of Senior Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.
He was responsible for developing the Gallery's policy, collections and exhibitions in the areas of Australian and international crafts and design, which includes ceramics, glass, textiles, metalwork, jewellery, furniture, industrial design, costume and theatre arts.
Robert has been the President of the Crafts Council of WA, the Crafts Council of Australia, Deputy Vice President of the World Crafts Council Asian Zone and is an elected member of the International Academy of Ceramics. He has been a member of the Australian and international selection and judging panels for craft exhibitions. His own work as an artist in painting, ceramics and fibre/textiles has been exhibited in Australia and internationally.
On 1 January 2001, he was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal "for service to Australian society and the decorative arts".
Robert was also honoured by becoming a Member of the Order of Australia (A.M.) in the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours. The citation states, "For service to contemporary craft and design as a curator and advocate, and to the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the National Gallery of Australia."