29 December 1946, Perth WA – 28 July 2018, Canberra ACT
The School of Art & Design community are deeply saddened to hear of Robert Bell's passing. Many in the Canberra community knew Robert as the internationally regarded Senior Curator of Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Australia. Prior to this, he was also the Curator of Decorative Arts at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. During his career, Robert made an enormous contribution to the sector and he was amongst the most respected in the field. The vitality that the crafts enjoy across Australia is due to the advocacy and leadership that Robert provided. Despite all that he achieved, it was his gentle friendship that we will miss the most. He cared about people and took a genuine interest in all of our work and in us as individuals.

He will be sadly missed.

Our condolences to this wife Eugenie Keefer Bell, to his family and friends.