Exhibition Articles
Press Release - Jul 2026
Enjoy a 'Summer of Expression' filled with major exhibitions and celebrations of young creativity
We're inviting audiences from across the Southwest to enjoy a vibrant ‘Summer of Expression’ here at The Box, featuring new exhibitions, family-friendly activities and inspiring displays showcasing the region’s creative talent. At the heart of the season are two major shows: 'Echoes of Us' (20 June-20 September) and 'Gillian Ayres: A Life in Colour' (4 July-4 October). Together, they explore the power of creativity, connection and self-expression while highlighting the South West's rich artistic heritage.
Art - Jun 2026
125 years of art, diplomacy and identity: Why the Government Art Collection matters
For 125 years, the Government Art Collection has quietly played a remarkable role in representing Britain to the world. This summer, visitors to 'Echoes of Us' at The Box have a rare opportunity to see works from this extraordinary national collection outside their usual diplomatic settings.
Press Release - Jun 2026
Beryl Cook exhibition smashes visitor target
We're delighted to announce that the hugely popular 'Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy' attracted nearly 104,000 visits during its run – exceeding its original target of 75,000 by almost 30,000. The exhibition, which celebrated the life and work of artist Beryl Cook and marked the centenary of her birth, proved to be the most successful show staged at The Box Plymouth since it opened in late September 2020.
News - May 2026
Beryl's Influences
Although artist Beryl Cook was self-taught, she didn’t create her paintings in a vacuum. She actively mined newsreels and local papers, was an avid reader who owned many books, captured hundreds of photographs and gained inspiration from a wide variety of materials and artists. There's a section in our ‘Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy’ exhibition which shows her work alongside some of these and demonstrates just how well-informed and considered her practice was. Discover more here!
News - Apr 2026
Beryl's Travels
Beryl Cook painted Plymouth as it had never been seen before and the city influenced the way she saw and represented the wider world too. With the success of her first exhibitions and growing reputation she travelled to other places - for work as well as leisure. Here are some of the paintings in our ‘Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy’ exhibition that were inspired by her visits to other cities.
News - Mar 2026
Inspired by Beryl Cook
The four life-sized Beryl Cook sculptures that are located around Plymouth have been more popular than we could have hoped for since they were installed. They've created some great selfie moments too! As we seek a planning permission extension to keep them in place until at least 2029, here's more about the paintings that inspired them.
Art - Mar 2026
Journeys with Mai: Contemporary Artists Reframing Mai’s Story
Explore how contemporary artists Lisa Reihana, Mohini Chandra, Hinatea Colombani and Moeava Meder reinterpret Mai’s story, challenging colonial imagery and restoring Pacific Islander voices in 'Journeys with Mai'.
Art - Feb 2026
Journeys with Mai: British Visions and Pacific Voices through 18th Century Art
What did the first meetings between South Pacific Islands people and British voyagers really look like? The artists in the North Gallery of 'Journeys with Mai' reveal contrasting viewpoints - from European attempts to document the 'unknown' to a Polynesian artist who recorded these encounters from within their own culture.
Exhibition - Dec 2025
Meet the artist: Grayson Perry
Artist Grayson Perry doesn't need too much of an introduction. This award-winning well-known artist has frequently graced the UK's galleries, television screens and stages in recent years - and we're currently displaying six of his tapestries at The Box (until 11 January). The tapestries are packed with cultural references and form part of the 'Remember Respond Resist' exhibition. Here are ten top facts about their creator.
Exhibition - Nov 2025
Meet the artist: Honorata Martin
The Box's 'Remember Respond Resist' exhibition includes the first-ever UK showing of Honorata Martin's 2013 film 'About Going Out into Poland'. Discover more about this exciting and award-winning Polish-based artist.
Exhibition - Oct 2025
Meet the artist: Goshka Macuga
Internationally renowned Goshka Macuga is one of 23 artists featured in our 'Remember Respond Resist' exhibition. Discover more about this Polish-born British-based artist whose career has taken her all over the world.
Art - Aug 2025
Spotlight On: Salvador Dalí
There aren’t many people who haven’t heard of Salvador Dalí (1904-1989). The Spanish painter, sculptor, graphic artist, designer, film maker and writer turned to Surrealism in 1929 and quickly became one of its most well-known names. If you visit the 'Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes' exhibition (until 7 September 2025) you can see a beautiful work by him that is full of symbolism.