Bella Knemeyer (b.1991) combines a background in sculpture (BAFA Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town), landscape architecture (MLA, University of Edinburgh) and research to explore urban narratives and material flows. Based in Cape Town, her practice traces how materials transpire spatially; how places are made, broken and mended, and how art-making may document structures and landscapes in transition as an alternative method of archiving.
In February 2025 she undertook her second solo exhibition with Reservoir Here, there and everywhere, following her debut solo with the gallery, Something about this place in 2023, both in Cape Town. She was a 2023/24 National Arts Council South Africa recipient in collaboration with POOL. Her work is included in the permanent collection of the Iziko South African National Gallery, Investec Collection and Yellowwoods.
2025
Here, there and everywhere, at Reservoir Projects, Cape Town
2023
Something about this place, at Reservoir Projects, Cape Town
2024
Ex Situ, curated by Anthracite, Zurich
Fallow Ground, curated by Reservoir in collaboration with Spaced Out, Gut Kerkow, and PSM, Berlin
Approximations to a voice: ellipsis, curated by Jean Dreyer at Johannes Stegmann Gallery, University of the Free State, South Africa
2023
Fullhouse, curated by Underprojects & Fede Arthouse at blank projects, Cape Town
Oh so silent, Whatiftheworld Gallery, Cape Town
Wintershow, Everard Read, Cape Town
2022
EX LIBRIS, Everard Read, Franschhoek
Open Plot, curated by Reservoir at THK Gallery, Cape Town
Breakfast, at Sister by Studio Ashby, London
Vessel, at Boschendal Manor House Gallery with Norval Foundation, Franschhoek
Up Close at a Distance, a duo-exhibition with Unathi Mkonto at OPEN24HRS, Cape Town
2020
Bad Paper Kiosk, at Whatiftheworld Gallery, Cape Town
2025
Investec Cape Town Art Fair with Reservoir
2024
Wilhelm Hallen for Berlin Art Week with Reservoir and PSM
Investec Cape Town Art Fair with Reservoir
Zsona Maco, Mexico City with Nuweland
2023
FNB Art Joburg with Reservoir
RMB Latitudes Art Fair, Johannesburg with Reservoir
Investec Cape Town Art Fair with Reservoir
2022
Investec Cape Town Artfair with Bad Paper
2018
FNB Art Joburg with Bad Paper