Film + Q&A: Richard Bell: You Can Go Now

UNFORTUNATELY, RICHARD BELL IS NO LONGER ABLE TO ATTEND THE SCREENING AND THE Q&A HAS BEEN CANCELLED. INSTEAD, SENIOR CURATOR MĀORI ART, NATHAN PŌHIO, WILL GIVE A SHORT INTRODUCTION TO THE FILM.

This film looks at First Nations artist Richard Bell – provocateur, ‘enfant terrible of the art world’ and community activist. His confrontational work and attitudes have stirred the Australian art world while being lauded internationally, taking him from a childhood in a rural Queensland shack to the lofty halls of the Tate Modern.

In You Can Go Now (2022), Bell, Kamilaroi/Kooma/Jiman/Goreng Goreng peoples, recalls life as a child living in abject poverty. The film includes historical footage of life on missions and reserves, which demonstrates the oppressive and invasive conditions Aboriginal people were forced to endure. Bell’s polemics and creative outputs provide a lens through which to consider the last 50 years of First Nations activism in Australia and its links to global protest movements.

‘A powerful piece of work, with all the anger, recrimination and hurt that we see in his art. Bell is a provocateur, a poet, a piss-taker, maybe even a prophet.’ – Sydney Morning Herald

‘(A) barnstormer of a documentary.’ – ScreenHub

We respectfully advise that this film includes works by, names of, and references to deceased people. It may also include images of First Nations cultural practices, and/or artistic, cultural or intellectual property that may be of a sensitive nature.

This event is part of Auckland Art Gallery Members programme. Go to www.aucklandartgallery.com/members to find out more.
Members with a valid guest pass can purchase an additional ticket for the Members price.