Spotlight on Tyler Mellins

Tyler Mellins: A journey into the supernatural

Tyler Mellins (b. 1995, Mansfield, UK) uses moving image and immersive multimedia installations to conjure eerie experiences that linger in the mind. Ghosts, witchcraft and the occult are recurring themes in his work.

Mellins' practice aligns with the spirit of Surrealism — an artistic movement that sought to transcend the ordinary and engage with the unconscious mind. In the spirit of Surrealism, Mellins believes that engaging with the supernatural can provoke new ways of thinking critically about the world around us. This philosophy will be central to his commission for The Box. He is currently based at Yorkshire Artspace in Sheffield, UK.

Surrealism: A centenary of breaking boundaries

In 2025, The Box will join in marking the centenary of Surrealism’s first exhibition by hosting 'Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes'. This major exhibition, from the Hepworth Gallery, will explore the influence Surrealism has had on the depiction of landscapes in art. Surrealists sought to transcend logic, embracing the unconscious mind and exploring the irrational. Their radical break from conventional reality not only challenged traditional thought but also reshaped 20th century art and culture. Tyler Mellins’ digital commission will add a contemporary voice to the ongoing legacy of Surrealist thought. His work will be on display in The Box’s Media Lab Gallery, offering a fresh, digitally immersive perspective on Surrealism’s impact.

Reimagining the Film Archive: A platform for innovation

Reimagining the Film Archive (RtFA) programme seeks to explore new ways of engaging with The Box’s extensive film archive, bringing together artists, filmmakers, and new technologies to create innovative works that both interrogate and celebrate the archive. Mellins’ digital project will build on the work of previous RtFA commissions, adding a new layer of creative exploration to the archive. Mellins will create an experience that engages with moving image collections, invites viewers to observe our contemporary perspective of our history drawn from the movement of surrealists.

Discover more

• To learn more about Mellins' practice, visit his website
• Find out more about Reimagining the Film Archive, a three-year programme (2023–2026) supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the BFI Screen Heritage Fund

We are also excited to spotlight local Southwest artist Libby Bove, who has been commissioned for the Folklore and Mythology digital commission as part of RtFA.

Image credits

Banner image: Courtesy of the artist.
Second image: Tyler Mellins, 'Receiver' (2023). Installation view: 'Dark Echoes', Site Gallery, Sheffield. Photo: Jules Lister.