Roddy Bell is Scottish, and has been a resident in Norway since 1979. His work consists of separate activities (drawing, painting, performance, sculpture, installations, video). These activities often merge and interact with each other. Working within several disciplines, often at the same time, Bell´s work often stands outside of contemporary currents, perhaps verging towards a form for outsider art. Exploring areas of spirituality and metaphysics, his work is quietly subversive. There is a balance between humour, light, and an undermining sense of darkness that requires several viewings to become apparent. The installations involve the use of electronics and rough, primitive constructions, with digitally composed voices and sounds in a bizarre mix.The paintings and drawings are often small, humorous, but also dark, philosophically speculative and recognisably personal.
Text: Roddy Bell