2021 ARTIST BIOS | FREDERICK BEEL

/ / Artist Bios 2021

Frederick Beel is a semi retired machinist/toolmaker/fitter type person who is incredibly creative and inventive. His skills and experience gives him a great understanding of materials (especially metal) and what can and cannot be done with them, he knows how things work. This foundation, coupled with a very active imagination has been successful in the commissioning of several large public art pieces, as well as winning awards for his 3D work.

Fred has worked extensively throughout PNG, Indonesia and the Pilbara area of WA and took a strong interest in the people, culture and art of these regions. Whilst in the Pilbara he was the Chairperson for the Hedland Arts Council (HARTZ) for 6 years and it was here that he formed close bonds with the indigenous Martumili artists mob of the western desert and the Spinifex Hill artists of South Hedland. During this period he was fortunate to be mentored by the fabulous Jon Tarry and completed collaborations with both Jon and the equally fabulous Matthew Harding, all thanks to Linda Dorrington and the team at FORM WA.

Metal is his favored medium, but is equally happy with stone, concrete, wood and various other materials, in all manner of combinations, often to great effect. His work can be contemporary, stylistic and fun with leanings towards tribal, mythology and whatever else takes his fancy.

 

2021 SWELL ARTWORK – Inner City, Frederick Beel

The artist is concerned about urban sprawl and how this can negatively impact on the environment. The mass clearing of trees and or, the use of prime agricultural land for housing development needs to be reassessed. For sometime engineers and architects have been promoting smarter use of space in our cities, build up instead of outwards, green building towers already exist, working from home is the new normal.
“Inner City” highlights the usable negative space in our cities that could be used to greater advantage.

 

SWELL Kids Artist Statement – Inner City, Frederick Beel

Hello to all the young folk.
I don’t like how we knock down so many trees to build houses. because when we do this we take away the homes of birds, koalas and other animals, plus trees keep the air clean.
My art shows how much space can be found outside of the buildings of our cities [that’s the black bit]. Maybe we should be using these spaces better?

 

Instagram: @ironmongrel

Come and see for yourself at SWELL Sculpture Festival, Pacific Parade, Currumbin 10-19 September.