Gelbell

Gelbell is the collaborative force of Melbourne-born artists Angelica Wootton (b. 1997) and Isabella Greene (b. 1997). Painting together as one since 2020, the duo developed a free-flowing, intuitive process that merges choreography and conversation. Working simultaneously on the same canvas, they describe their practice as “one brain with four arms,” building sculptural layers of paint with bold colour, expressive mark-making, and an openness to experimentation. Their materials and methods are unconventional—rags, sticks, feet, or clothing—leaving behind a charged record of movement and gesture.

At the centre of Gelbell’s work is the figure: statuesque, satirical, and unapologetically female. Their characters, often drawn from memory or casual observation, capture fleeting postures and familiar archetypes—beachside silhouettes, awkward stances, oversized boots, dangling cigarettes. These figures resist idealisation, instead becoming nostalgic icons and visual punchlines rooted in real life. Fashion, interiors, and pop culture appear as playful motifs, grounding their work in shared contemporary experience.

Since their first exhibition, Gelbell has rapidly built a loyal international following, with collectors across Australia, Europe, the US, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK. Their exhibitions—such as Salted Butter, Red Wine of Summer, and Girl on Beach—have drawn acclaim and enthusiastic audiences, while features in Vogue Living, InStyle Australia, The Design Files, and White Ibiza have expanded their visibility. Whether in their studio along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road or on the move between Paris and Ibiza, Gelbell’s process remains spontaneous and collaborative, driven by curiosity and a shared love for experimentation.

Exhibitions

Two Years’ Solo Show, Monphell House, Melbourne, 2023

‘Never Never Land’ Solo Show, Rainbow Studios, Sydney, 2023

‘Salted Butter’ Solo Show, Rainbow Studios, Sydney, 2022

'Open’ Solo Show, Temperance Hall, Melbourne, 2022

‘Wildflowers’ Solo Show, Collective Found, Portarlington, 2021