This Must Be The Place and Tiger Strikes Asteroid Philadelphia are thrilled to announce a solo exhibition of artist Queen Nancy Bell, Fingertips of Jesus and Feathertips of Jehovah. Presenting a range of paintings created from 2011 to the present, this selection of work offers a glimpse into Bell’s prolific art practice and powerful artistic vision, which, in Bell’s own words, is “unusual, magnificent, excellent, marvelous, victorious, and glorified.”
 
This exhibition was planned in conjunction with the release of Queen Nancy Bell: Wings of Evangelistics, the artist’s first monograph, published by This Must Be The Place (Philadelphia, Pa.).
 
Join the artist and the curators in the gallery on Thursday, November 14th, from 6 - 9 p.m. for a book release and opening reception, and on Saturday, December 14th, from 1 -  3 p.m. for a closing reception and book signing.
 
The paintings of Queen Nancy Bell are unmistakable, crafted in an iconic style. Each composition represents a discrete, centrally located motif, formed through a combination of bright color, pattern, and outline. The winding, spindling intricacies of Bell’s linework sometimes blossom from a central point, like mandalas, and at other times hint at symmetry while unfurling into an unexpected shape. Figures of animals or people occasionally appear, their hair, clothing, or skin depicted with the same style of ornamental patterning. Ancient motifs like spirals, paisleys, and human eye shapes imbue Bell’s work with a kind of timelessness, a connection to something familiar, elemental, and deeply human.
 
Frequently titling her compositions “Jesus,es,” Bell describes making her art as a spiritual act: “As I meditate on God, everything comes down from heaven, right down on that paper.” This divine connection drives Bell’s creative practice and a desire to spread the word of God through her artwork.
 
Frames used in this exhibition generously provided by Christopher Company, christopherltd.com
 
Bio: “Queen” Nancy Bell was born in 1961 in Philadelphia, where she has lived her entire life. A self-taught artist, Bell’s creative practice began when she was five years old, and was fostered at Oasis Art Center, where she created from 2005 until its closure in 2014. Bell’s work has been exhibited at various venues throughout Philadelphia, including at Fleisher/Ollman Gallery. She has also exhibited at the Outsider Art Fair and Tompkins Square Library in NYC. Bell is a mother of three and a grandmother of five.
 
This Must Be The Place is an independent publishing and curatorial project that fosters kinship between and makes space for artists. Foregrounding work by neurodivergent artists, THE PLACE offers exhibitions, publications, and other programming that seeks to promote inclusivity, community, and art exchange. THE PLACE was founded in 2020 by Virginia Fleming and Samantha Mitchell. Learn more and view past projects at thismustbetheplace.org