Collections Insight: Art in 'Echoes of Us'

1. Royal Parade at Night by Yram Allets

This painting, which we believe dates from the 1980s, suggests the sense of belonging that is often generated between people and place. It’s titled Royal Parade at Night and shows a vibrant scene of Royal Parade, the primary east-to-west street in our city centre, illuminated by the glow of streetlights.

It’s the work of a British artist named Stella Mary Edwards (1915-2009) who used the professional name Yram Allets (Stella Mary spelt backwards). She was originally a London-based teacher but settled in St. Ives where she rented a studio near the harbour with her husband, Cornish artist, John Edwards. Historically female artists have adopted pseudonyms to conceal their gender, although in this case she did it to differentiate her name from her husbands because they were both painters.

2. 50/50 by David Clarke

This piece of contemporary craft arrived at The Box in 2016. It’s called 50/50 – a title that refers to chance and a gamble in life – and it’s the work of a London-based artist called David Clarke. It was acquired with the support of the Contemporary Art Society, a charity that purchases important works of art to place in public collections across the UK.

Clarke is known for his unusual and thoughtful way of taking traditional metalworking techniques and giving them a contemporary twist. He often takes familiar forms like teapots and cutlery and transforms them into beautiful objects. The works he produces are visually appealing yet also thought-provoking. This work is a great example of his considered approach.

To make 50/50 he commissioned a chocolatier’s silicone mould and used it to create seven casts of a cup. The casts are made from lead and pewter and gradually get smaller and smaller until just the lip is left.

The cast is taken from the last teacup Clarke’s mother drank from and the one she used to take her medication with whilst suffering from cancer. Through the carefully commissioned rather than industrial mould he’s used, plus the number of cups, Clarke remembers his mother’s generosity. She was the provider and ‘tea was always present.’

A discussion between Clarke and his mother about the pills she took being ‘kill or cure’ is also referenced with the addition of the lead which is a highly toxic metal and strong poison due to its high mercury content.

3. Black Death – Crown of thorns by Morel Doucet

This stunning and unusual porcelain work was acquired by The Box in 2021 thanks to The Contemporary Art Society’s Omega Fund.

Haitian-American artist, Morel Doucet is based in Miami and works across a range of mediums including ceramics, illustration and print. Through his work he examines the realities of migration, displacement and climate-gentrification – the term used to describe the way extreme weather events can reshape the identity of towns and cities.

This pair of elaborate pitchers have been made in the Rococo style and are decorated with the textures of coral, sea sponges, shells and other flora and fauna. They’re a metaphor for how vulnerable the biodiversity of Miami’s coastal areas is, and the resident African-American and Caribbean communities who are affected by it.

4. MMXXII by George Shaw

This vibrant painting was acquired for the city’s permanent art collection in April 2023. It’s by Devon-based artist George Shaw and it’s titled MMXXII. The Roman numerals translate to 2022, the year the painting was finished.

It shows a bright yellow laburnum tree from Shaw’s garden, its cascading yellow flowers glowing against a quiet landscape. A beautiful sight when it flowers in late spring, the laburnum tree is also known as the ‘golden rain tree’ thanks to its eye-catching yellow blooms.

Shaw began the painting in autumn 2021 using photographs he’d taken earlier that year. A reproduction of a laburnum tree painted by Stanley Spencer hung on a nearby wall while the tree itself was just a few yards from his studio.

The painting was made with Humbrol enamel paint which gives it a distinctive glossy sheen and otherworldly glow and reflects Shaw’s shift from painting specific places connected with his childhood to exploring the passing of time and the subtle emotional weight of everyday scenes from the present.

5. 91 Chyzanthemumz 4 Imsook by Zadie Xa

This colourful cape has the unusual title of 91 Chyzanthemumz 4 Imsook. It was created in 2018 and features an assortment of hand sewn and machine stitched fabrics, mother of pearl buttons, faux fur, synthetic hair and bamboo.

It’s a great example of how garments can be completely transformed. It also connects a personal story about artist Zadie Xa’s mother, Imsook, with the artist’s extensive research into how fashion can be used as a powerful and creative form of communication about identity.

“This cape is an extension into my interest with textiles, collage, costuming, cloaking, shapeshifting and theatrics,” said Xa in 2020. “I made this cape thinking of my mother. We had a small garden when I was very young and there were a lot of over grown Chrysanthemums which we always had to work very hard at keeping back. Imsook is my mother's name and I made this "superhero" cape as a small homage to her. I also like that the word Chrysanthemum has the word "mum" within it.”

You can see the 'Echoes of Us' exhibition in the St Luke's church gallery at The Box until the end of Sunday 20 September. Opening hours are 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Entry is free. Tickets can be booked in advance online if you'd like to enjoy priority access.