Bell's daily annihilation series, 2006-2007 is a body of investigative work comprised of four paintings influenced by several of Jackson Pollock's paintings from 1943 -1949. Bell abstracts from Pollock's complex forms and compositions translating them into his own style which combines abstract expressionism and geometric minimalism. Sans Pollock's famous drips, Bell's intention is not to copy the midcentury master, but to highlight his structural and compositional strategies in a minimalist approach, revealing different compositions, allowing the viewer to see them in a completely new way.  

Bell's most notable example of this is in his daily annihilation #2 which references Pollock's Mural (1943) painted for art collector Peggy Guggenheim. Bell captures the same intensity, energy and motion of Mural, although he's clearly personalized it in his own signature style, and scale (spanning nearly 15ft. in length by 7 ft. high), incorporating his ethereal back drops,tense geometric lines and shapes and acute sense of color.  

Daily Annihilation #2, acrylic on canvas, 2006 72" x 172

John's piece, "daily annihilation" graces one wall of a room we spend a great deal of time in. While there is no question that it's a big, bold piece, its multi-dimensional nature reflects light and shadow intricately-almost cheerfully at times. Some days its bold lines dance wildly, while other days those lines recede, and what was background suddenly emerges from behind as sheer tranquility. French philosopher Gaston Bachelard suggested that art is a byproduct of the artists' journey toward transcendence. While that may be true, we think it can also be said that living with art moulds and shapes our own passage through time. Clearly, John's work is reflective of more than just his own experience. It encompasses aspects of our culture, both positive and negative, that are widely felt, and deals with them progressively. In that regard, there is a tangible element of John's transcendence in this piece, and we are thrilled to be along for the ride. - Linda Howell

the public domain #1, a black monochrome painting that highlights Bell's commentary on social media, the vanishing public domain and a subversive bit of humor weave a narrative of his view and reaction to the complexities of contemporary American culture.    

John Bell has his pulse on popular culture and paints from an insider perspective, articulating current thinking in a bold way.  His works always create conversations and I admire the thinking behind the works in conjunction with the great artistic execution. - Jeff Wright 

The Public Domain #1, 2010 34" x 64"

In DS Memorial, Bell pays homage to New York street artist Dash Snow, a work with dark, emotional underpinnings and a haunting depiction of the artist with the invitation to his own wake.

DS memorial, 2010 mixed media on bristol board, 22" x 28"

For AMF's exhibition Deconstructing Venus, John created a mixed media work on paper entitled; Dear Mom, The good news is I found a job...It was acquired that evening with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the YWCA.

For Deconstructing Venus, I wanted to examine an alternate side to the common and classical notions of Venus. I decided to deconstruct women from the 'other side of the tracks'. Dear Mom...poses many questions about stereotypes, sexual identity and seduction. It's an inquiry about gender and cultural roles and motivations spanning the last century.

-John Bell  

Dear Mom, the good news is I found a job, acrylic, silkscreen, collage printed on religious artifacts mounted on bristol board, 2011, 22" x 28"