Exhibition Articles

2024 exhibition programme is unveiled | The Box Plymouth
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.

The UK debut of 'Arcadia', a new multi-screen film by artist John Akomfrah, opens on 30 November | The Box Plymouth
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.

Masters of their craft: van Walscapelle, de Bray and Ruysch | The Box Plymouth
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.

Capturing Nature's Beauty: Dutch Flower Paintings
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.

Kedisha Coakley: Artist Biography | The Box Plymouth
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.

'Imogen' by Elizabeth Adela Forbes | The Box Plymouth
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.

Reynolds' studio materials | The Box Plymouth
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!

Rana Begum in The Box | The Box Plymouth
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!

The National Gallery's 'Dutch Flowers' and Yinka Shonibare CBE RA's 'End of Empire' to open at The Box in October | The Box Plymouth
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.

Rana Begum in St Luke's | The Box Plymouth
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.

Walking Trail: Reynolds' London | The Box Plymouth
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.

Wally Birds by Martin Brothers | The Box Plymouth
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!