^Preamble

A painter and designer since the 1940s, Roberta Bell has lived ‘A Life of Art’. Her activities have ranged from teaching art to mural painting and managing commercial galleries. However, her abiding involvement has been with painting. Roberta has an energy and talent that is both inspiring and infectious. It is her love of art, and her enthusiasm that has seen her continuing her painting practice painting into her 90’s.

Relationships

Irene Roberta Bell, was born to Robert Lawrence Bell and Carrie Bell (née Hewitt) in Annandale, Sydney, 15 July 1924. Known professionally as Roberta Bell, she has also worked under the names of Roberta Osborne, Roberta Howland and now Roberta Bell-Allen. Roberta has been widowed twice, married to John Edwin Osborne (1950-1951) and Jack Douglas Howland (1960-1978). Currently, she is very happily married to Robert Frank Allen (2003-Present) and resides with him in Canberra.

Roberta has always had a strong relationship with other artists in the community. Her strong involvement in art throughout the years has seen her build long-standing friendships. Some of her lasting friendships include;: David Boyd, Robert Dickerson, John Coburn, May Barrie, Tom Bass, David Voigt, Max Millar and Jenny Sages.

Locations

Roberta was born and raised in Sydney, however her professional life has occured throughout much of eastern Australia. Roberta chose to live and work in many places, and became an integral part of each community. She lived in Wellington, NSW (1961-1964); Wollongong, NSW (1964-1973); and Berrima, NSW (1972-1998).

Roberta became a driving force in many of the communities in which she lived. None more so than her relationship with Berrima. She became heavily involved with the community, and was formative in setting up, opening and running two successful galleries in this historic, Georgian town. Currently Roberta lives and works in Canberra, ACT, and has done since 1998.

Education

Roberta attended primary school at Orange Grove Public School, Leichhardt from 1931-1937. Following primary school she attended SCEGGS, Darlinghust from 1938-1940.  Her love of art blossomed under Enid Cambridge’s tutelage, and she has been a strong part of the school community ever since. Whilst still attending scecondary school, Roberta attended East Sydney Technical College from 1939-1940. Here she studied Still Life part-time under both Douglas Dundas and Dorothy Thornhill.

After graduating from secondary school, Roberta completed a Graduate Diploma (Hons), East Sydney Technical College, Design School. Between 1940-1945 saw her study under Head of Design, Phyllis Shillito; Head Supervisor, Frank Medworth and Tutors: G.K. Townsend, Dadswell, Shillito, Dobell, Harvey and Badham.

Formal Employment

Although Roberta was a successful commercial artist, she was motivated to have many strings to her bow. During this period, Roberta also worked as a freelance designer, fulfilled various commissions, created designs for events, fashion shows, charity exhibitions, domestic plastic ware, metal jewellery, scarves (linocut prints), and invitations for professional bodies.

Her time at East Sydney Technical College continued as she became a part-time teacher at the Design School between 1946-1952. Her students included Ross Stay, Robin Lovejoy, Ken Unwood, Jenny Sages, Faye Bottrell and Maria Gazzard. One of these students, Ross Stay, who would later become Head of the Design School, sent her a letter, in which he wrote:

I have never lost my love for textile printing, thanks to you for your early encouragement and enthusiasm. I can still remember you sweeping in to class in the New Look. You and Sylvia Tiarks were always the fashion plates, full of life.