Anonda Bell

"I don’t believe in wasting anything!"
John D. Rockefeller

Urban mythology suggests that the first petro-chemical plastics resulted from John D. Rockefeller viewing plumes of flame and smoke whilst surveying his Standard Oil processing plant in the 1930s.  As it goes, he asked, “What’s burning?”, and it was explained to him that the company was burning off ethylene gas, a byproduct of the refining process. To which he proclaimed, “I don’t believe in wasting anything!” and “Figure out something to do with it!” And thus synthetic plastics, originating in the lab were brought into existence.  
My artwork features 'plastic bottles' of the nondescript type lurking in homes everywhere.  Except these versions are made with clay (the earliest material used to form vessels created by humans) and a mycelium counterpart (mycelium is the hyphae, vegetative part of the mushroom, networks of fine filaments grown together joining pulverized hemp shards into a solid mass).  This material is not-new, but contemporary applications are expanding as it is viewed as a possible environmentally friendly heir to synthetic plastic. 
​  

N E W S

Thank you - Once again to the City of Newark's Creative Catalyst Fund for their support of my work (and many other artists and organizations in the city, so valuable).  Stay tuned, project reveal in Spring.  

Upcoming - My work will be featured in "Hold Me Now" curated by Doris Cacolio at Evening Star Studio in Jersey City.  Opening reception Saturday March 4, 4pm to 6pm.  Closing reception and artist talk, Sunday April 6, 1pm to 4pm.  Free and open to all.

​​​​​​​Follow me on Instagram #anondabellart​​