“Let Colour Speak”

A mother-daughter art show

“Let Colour Speak” is a duet exhibition by Gold Coast artist Karen McPhail-Bell and her artist mother Jennie Bell, showing 1–12 October 2025 at Robina Art Gallery.

This exhibition explores colour as a “third voice” in our intergenerational dialogue where we investigate memory, place and identity through our painting practice.

The show will offer the Gold Coast and nearby communities a deeply personal arts experience that explores how colour can open up creative expression and connection.

About our process

Our collaboration involves alternately identifying a colour palette to which we each respond with our own swatch of “colour recipes”. These we use to create our painting response.

We have also co-created some paintings directly together, adding another level of collaboration through colour for this show. The image left shows us in process creating a painting that is part of the show.

Our collaborative art practice emerged as a lifeline when COVID-19 restrictions kept us unexpectedly apart for years, while Karen lived in the U.S.A.. What began as video calls where we shared colour prompts and art play, has evolved into a rich artistic conversation. “Let Colour Speak” shares our creative dialogue and collaboration, inviting the community and viewers to engage in their own self-expression through colour too.

  • At the Robina Community Centre, 1 San Antonio Court, Robina 4226. The Gallery itself is inside the same building as the library.

  • The Robina Art Gallery is open during the same hours as the library next to it. At the time of writing this these hours are:

    Saturday: 9 am–4 pm
    Sunday: 9 am–4 pm
    Monday: 8:30 am–5 pm
    Tuesday: 8:30 am–5 pm
    Wednesday: 8:30 am–5 pm
    Thursday: 8:30 am–7 pm
    Friday: 8:30 am–5 pm

    Do check the Library website here just in case there was a change.

  • Both of us intend to be on site for each day of the exhibition, 1-12 October (health permitting). We will also have some community art activities available for any visitors who would like to experience their own way of letting colour speak in their lives.

  • Yes, all pieces in our show will be available for purchase. However, this show is for everyone - whether or not you are thinking about purchasing - so please come in and say hi, and enjoy viewing the show.

Sign up for first access to this show and behind-the-scenes creation

The Arts Development Fund is a City of Gold Coast Council fund that supports the Gold Coast’s creative community by fostering professional pathways and skills development, contributing to our city’s vibrant lifestyle.