A celebration of creativity and community

The Box has a long-standing relationship with London’s National Gallery after working on a series of projects and initiatives with it over the last few years. In fact, Plymouth’s relationship with it goes right back to its beginnings, when Plympton-born Sir Charles Eastlake was appointed as its first-ever director.

When the opportunity to be involved in the celebrations for the gallery’s 200th anniversary, to work with 2004 Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller, and to be the partner that represented England came up, it was far too exciting to say no.

The National Gallery has spent the last year celebrating its bicentenary in a variety of ways, but Jeremy Deller’s project, titled ‘The Triumph of Art’ marks its culmination. Throughout his career, he’s built a reputation for creating thought-provoking, large-scale performance events that have a great deal of impact. So, how would it work and what would he take his inspiration from this time?

Over the last few months, the National Gallery and Jeremy Deller have been working with The Box plus three other partners in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to devise a celebratory event in each location.

Each one has been different: events that speak to their locality and unique histories, featuring local creatives, people and performers. What has been consistent across all of them are their collaborative spirit and sense of fun. Elements of all four will combine in London on Saturday 26 July for a procession along Whitehall and a free, family friendly celebration and performance-inspired event in Trafalgar Square which will bring the project to a joyful end.

‘Hello Sailor’ was Plymouth’s unique and cheeky contribution to the project. Jeremy Deller took inspiration from a painting in the National Gallery’s collection that showed Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and revelry, and a group of people of all shapes and sizes having a party, as well as the strength and creativity of the people of Plymouth.

The event began at The Box with the unveiling of a huge inflatable based on the main character from the much-loved artist Beryl Cook’s ‘Nude on a Leopard Print’ painting. The 5-metre-long show stopping object was then carried through the city centre and up to the Hoe by a group of leopard-print clad strong people from Plymouth’s Powerbuilding Gym. It certainly attracted plenty of attention from shoppers and passers-by!

The inflatable’s destination was the iconic Tinside Lido where the main event took place later in the day. Despite the lack of sunshine, it was enjoyed immensely by everyone there and those who watched from Hoe Road, delivering 100% on Jeremy Deller’s ambition to mark how festivals, art and artists are part and parcel of culture and civic life.

The strong people from The Powerbuilding Gym treated us to some amazing feats of strength, members of the University of Plymouth’s Artistic Swimming Team impressed us with a synchronised swimming routine, while local DJs and the Camborne Town Band conducted by Simon Dobson brought the vibes with some great music.

I’m so proud of this event, to The Box staff for their hard work, the Plymouth Active staff based at Tinside Lido who helped make the event a reality, and all the partners and performers who made it such a special occasion.

‘Hello Sailor’ was a testament to creativity, community and body confidence. After months of planning and preparation, I hope it was an afternoon to remember for everyone who was there to watch it. I feel very lucky to have seen it all come together.