Exhibition Articles
Press Release - Nov 2023
2024 exhibition programme is unveiled
The Box has revealed an ambitious exhibition programme for 2024. It includes collaborations with some of the country’s most high-profile museums and galleries, and exhibitions that explore timely issues such as the role of museums in relation to empire and the ongoing challenge of the climate crisis.
Press Release - Nov 2023
The UK debut of 'Arcadia', a new multi-screen film by artist John Akomfrah, opens on 30 November
Arcadia, the latest film work by the hugely respected artist John Akomfrah, will receive its UK debut at The Box – Plymouth’s award-winning museum, art gallery and archive – from Thursday 30 November 2023 until Sunday 2 June 2024.
Art - Nov 2023
Masters of their craft: van Walscapelle, de Bray and Ruysch
From detailed compositions and bold palettes, to skilful use of colour and light, we continue our tour of the beautiful ‘Dutch Flowers’ exhibition with a look at the work of Jacob van Walscapelle, Dirck de Bray and Rachel Ruysch.
Art - Oct 2023
Capturing Nature's Beauty: Dutch Flower Paintings
The popularity of flower painting emerged in Northern Netherlands as a result of prosperous trade, scientific advancement, and middle-class patronage in Dutch cities in the 17th century. We take a look at three of the artists featured in the 'Dutch Flowers' exhibition: Ambrosius Bosschaert the Elder, Balthasar van der Ast and Jan Davidsz. de Heem.
Art - Oct 2023
Kedisha Coakley: Artist Biography
Learn about acclaimed contemporary artist Kedisha Coakley, known for her sculpture, photography and printmaking that reframes history, culture and race. Read a biography covering her art studies, exhibitions, commissions and career in Sheffield and beyond.
Art - Sep 2023
'Imogen' by Elizabeth Adela Forbes
This 1898 oil on canvas by Elizabeth Adela Stanhope Forbes (nee Armstrong) ARWS RE (1859-1912) was purchased for the city’s permanent art collections in 1904.
Art - Sep 2023
Reynolds' studio materials
Artist Sir Joshua Reynolds’ set up his first studio in Plymouth Dock (now Devonport) in the 1740s, and then established and ran a studio in the Leicester Square area of London. Thanks to archival documents and other items that still exist, we have a good insight into how they ran and how he created some of the many portraits he’s still known for today. Some of these materials are on display in our ‘Reframing Reynolds: A Celebration’ exhibition (until 29 October). Here’s a guide to what you can see!
Art - Sep 2023
Rana Begum in The Box
There are 11 different works in the 'Rana Begum: Dappled Light' exhibition (until 24 September), three of which can be seen in The Box's main building. As we head into the final fortnight for this visually stunning show, make sure you check them out when you visit!
Press Release - Sep 2023
The National Gallery's 'Dutch Flowers' and Yinka Shonibare CBE RA's 'End of Empire' to open at The Box in October
A new season of exhibitions and commissions launches at The Box in Plymouth this October with a nationally touring fine art exhibition and a thought-provoking sculpture. Both elements of the programme explore empire, trade and colonisation in different ways – with the aim of encouraging visitors to think about social and historical narratives from a different perspective.
Art - Sep 2023
Rana Begum in St Luke's
Artist Rana Begum works with a wide range of colours and materials, and the eight different pieces on display in St Luke’s demonstrate this brilliantly. Although you can’t touch them there’s plenty of space for you to move around them, to appreciate them from different viewpoints and angles and see how they interact with light.
Art - Sep 2023
Walking Trail: Reynolds' London
Although he maintained his links with the West Country throughout his life, Reynolds made London his home from the early 1750s. The places where he lived, worked and socialised were centred around Piccadilly and Leicester Square. This short walking tour connects some of the streets where he would have spent a great deal of his time, and follows a circular route that starts at finishes at Leicester Square tube station.
Art - Aug 2023
Wally Birds by the Martin Brothers
There are some weird and wonderful creatures perching within our giant display case but they are not from within our Natural History collection!