JP Bell - Abstract Painter, Poet and Photographer
JP Bell is a Filipino contemporary artist, poet, and street photographer based in Timaru, New Zealand whose works have been exhibited across the Philippines, New Zealand, Canada, Iceland and Cyprus.
Recognised in 2012 as The Empowered Poet and Artist of the Year by World Poetry International at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, his practice explores memory, mortality, identity, and transformation through abstract art and urban neo-expressionist form.
Central to Bell's work is the incorporation of Oamaru Stone, a limestone formed approximately 34 million years ago beneath the ancient seas that once covered New Zealand. By embedding this material directly into his paintings, Bell physically integrates a fragment of New Zealand's deep geological history into each canvas, creating works that exist at the intersection of contemporary art, archaeology, and cultural memory.
His works are held in private collections in New Zealand, Australia, Germany and the Philippines. Working from an immigrant outsider perspective, Bell transforms themes of displacement and belonging into a visual language that celebrates resilience, reinvention, and artistic freedom.

Early Life
JP Bell was born in the Philippines, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
Coming from a family deeply engaged in public service, he pursued legal studies at the University of Nueva Caceres School of Law, driven by a belief in justice and the power of change.
But in a time of political unrest, he found himself questioning the path he was on. Rather than remain in a system that no longer aligned with his vision, he made the bold decision to leave law school and seek a new chapter in New Zealand—one defined not by conflict, but by creation.
In New Zealand, he found the freedom to fully embrace his artistic calling, channeling his creativity into poetry, photography, and abstract painting to explore the depths of human experience and interconnectedness.
Poetry
As a poet and photographer, he was honoured in 2012 as “The Empowered Poet and Artist of the Year” by World Poetry International at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
In 2013, he received the “Inspirational Poet 2013” award at the National Museum of the Philippines, presented during the World Friendship Poetry Celebration organised by the National Library of the Philippines, Pentasi B Poetry, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (Philippines).
His poetry delves into the complexities of existence, weaving themes of struggle, triumph, and the evolving human condition. His works have been featured in literary exhibits, magazines, and newspapers across the Philippines, Canada, Iceland, Cyprus, and the United States.
Street Photography
JP Bell's street photography captures candid insights into everyday life, portraying moments of authenticity and fleeting beauty. His black-and-white portraits and urban compositions reveal a sensitivity to the stories within the mundane, capturing the essence of the streets with striking clarity.
His photographs have been showcased in international exhibitions and featured in global publications, including Vogue Italia, further cementing his presence in the art world.
Abstract Painting
In his abstract paintings, JP Bell explores themes of transformation and the unseen forces that shape our reality. His work is a dynamic interplay of bold forms and subtle nuances, where each piece becomes a visual dialogue between chaos and order, the fleeting and the eternal. Through his distinctive approach, he challenges perceptions, inviting viewers to engage with the shifting boundaries between emotion and intellect, the tangible and the elusive. His notable collections include:
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The String Theory Series
A reflection on the interconnectedness of the universe, depicting the unseen threads that bind existence. -
The Memento Mori Series
A meditation on mortality, reminding viewers of life’s impermanence and the beauty of the present moment. -
The Theory of Evolution Series
Examining adaptation and change, highlighting the continuous progression of life and human development. -
The Good Earth Series
His latest collection, paying homage to the planet and the relationship between humanity and the natural world through organic forms and earthy tones. -
The Lost Ruins Series
The Lost Ruins Series honours time's silent wisdom, revealing hidden truths and mapping the journey from past to present, where every ending holds the seeds of a new beginning. -
The Chaos Theory Series
Introducing The Chaos Theory — a bold abstract series that dives into the unpredictable forces shaping both the cosmos and the human condition.
Selected Awards
2012: “The Empowered Poet and Artist of the Year” awarded by World Poetry International, University of British Columbia, Vancouver (Canada)
2013: “Inspirational Poet 2013” award at the National Museum of the Philippines, presented during the World Friendship Poetry Celebration organised by the National Library of the Philippines, Pentasi B Poetry, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippines
2026: Juror's Choice Award – 7th International Artist of the Year Competition, awarded by the Circle Foundation for the Arts, Lyon, France, recognising exceptional artistic strength, clarity of vision, and accomplished execution.
2026: Finalist, 10th Annual Kumeū Arts Awards
Works in Public Spaces
Timaru Art Trail, Venture Timaru, New Zealand (2025-2026)
The Poetry Machine, City Library, Palmerston North, New Zealand (ongoing)
Upcoming Exhibitions
25 October - 30 November 2026 - Group Exhibition, Matakana Estate Gallery, Warkworth, New Zealand
2 - 26 November 2026 - The 10th Annual Kumeū Arts Awards Group Exhibition, Kumeū, Auckland
28 - 30 May 2027 - The Christchurch Art Show, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Group Exhibition
8 December 2028 - 25 February 2029 - Aigantighe Art Gallery (Timaru), Solo Exhibition
Past Exhibitions
29 August - 13 September 2026, Chapter1 Gallery (Ōtautahi Christchurch), Group Exhibition "Unbound Journeys"
27 August - 13 September 2026, Chapter1 Gallery, Ōtautahi Christchurch, "Suitcase Stories:
The of Legends", Charity Group Exhibition
10 - 18 July 2026, Chapter1 Gallery (Ōtautahi Christchurch), Solo Exhibition "Amor Fati: Meditations on Becoming"
12- 30 April 2026, McAtamney Gallery and Design Store, Geraldine, Solo Exhibition "The Good Earth"
1 - 3 May 2026, The Christchurch Art Show, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre
13 - 16 November 2025, The Geraldine Festival, Group Show: Art Exhibition
9 August - 14 Sep 2025, Aigantighe Art Gallery (Timaru), Guest Artist: "Scripted"
1 - 5 April 2025, Red Bird Gallery (Timaru), Group Show: "Precious Little" - A Fundraiser Artshow
17 January - 4 February 2025, Red Bird Gallery (Timaru), Debut Solo Exhibition: "The Outsider - A Rebel's Canvas"
14 - 17 November 2024, The Geraldine Festival, Group Show: Art Exhibition
14 - 17 November 2024, The Geraldine Festival, Group Show: Photography Exhibition
(Winner of the People's Choice Award)
23 May 2024, Hector Black’s (Timaru), Group Show: “Hector Black’s Art Auction“
Selected Artistic Participation
7 August 2014, Imagine Peace Tower, Viðey Island, Reykjavík, Iceland
15 November 2013, World Friendship Poetry Celebration / PENTASI B Historical Forum, Marble Hall, National Museum of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
4–30 April 2013, World Poetry International Peace Festival, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
20 October 2012, Autumn Dance Poetry, Writers International Network Canada, Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, Richmond, BC, Canada
26 May 2012, Spring Poetry Rain, Nicosia, Cyprus
Selected Publications
Jaypee Belarmino: Foreword. In: Edwin S. Loyola. Loyola: Beyond Passion: Stories Written in Light and Heart, 2026
[S]CRIPTED – Art and Poetry Exhibition. Selected Poetry. 2025
The Poetry Machine, featuring poetry by Jaypee Belarmino, City Library, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 2023
Vogue Italia / PhotoVogue, featuring street photography by Jaypee Belarmino, 7 May 2014; 13 May 2014
Manila Bulletin, featuring poetry by Jaypee Belarmino, 11 February 2013
Manila Bulletin / Picture Perfect, featuring poetry by Jaypee Belarmino, 15 May 2012
Spellbound – The Distinctive Poetry Book Extraordinaire. Selected Poetry. Axlepin Publishing. 2012
Frame One Magazine, featuring photography by Jaypee Belarmino, March 2013
Fujifilm: Published Street Photography, 2012
Flash Frontier, Front Cover Photograph by Jaypee Belarmino, March 2012
Jaypee Belarmino: Foreword. In: Edwin S. Loyola. Loyola: Creative iPhone Photography, 2012
PoemHunter.com, Jaypee Belarmino: Poems. E-Book, 2012.



