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History - Jan 2024
Archives insight: Devonport 200
Did you know 1 January 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the town of Dock (or Plymouth-Dock) becoming known as Devonport?
Art - Dec 2023
Growth, decay and everything in between: Jan van Huysum, Paulus Theodorus van Brussel and Jan Weenix
Lavish arrangements, imaginary bouquets, fruit, flowers, beauty and decay; our online tour of the beautiful ‘Dutch Flowers’ exhibition concludes with artists Jan van Huysum, Paulus Theodorus van Brussel and Jan Weenix.
Art - Dec 2023
Top five things to know about John Akomfrah
If you're new to John Akomfrah's work, here's some essential things to know about this important contemporary filmmaker and visual artist.
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.
Art - Nov 2023
'Portrait of Jacqueline Glanville' by Winifred de Vany
This painting came to The Box unexpectedly in 2022. Jacqueline Glanville - the woman in the portrait - bequeathed it to The Box after she passed away. It’s the work of a woman named Winifred de Vany (1900-1990).
Press Release - Nov 2023
Assistant Curator appointed for the National Gallery’s ‘Triumph of Art’ commission
Plymouth-based Rhys Morgan is one of four Assistant Curators who have been appointed by the National Gallery, and funded by Art Fund, to work on Jeremy Deller’s commission to round off the celebrations for the National Gallery’s Bicentenary year. He will be seconded to The Box – one of the four UK-wide cultural organisations who will partner with the National Gallery on the project.
Press Release - Nov 2023
New artist commission will use the Falklands Conflict to explore the idea of home
The Box, Plymouth’s award-winning museum, art gallery and archive, has launched a call out for an artist commission that will connect with the city’s military heritage and explore the idea of home.
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.
Press Release - Nov 2023
The Box partners with regional museums to create accessible pottery resource
Following the success of a recent pilot in Somerset, Historic England has awarded a grant to museums across Devon and Cornwall to create a Fabric Type Series for medieval and post medieval pottery. The project will bring together medieval and post-medieval sherds found across the region in an easy to access reference collection that can be used as a comparative resource for excavated material as well as unexpected finds.
Moving Image - Nov 2023
World Digital Preservation Day 2023 – reflecting on practice
The climate emergency has prompted archives and museums to reflect on our carbon footprints and rethink the way we work. Reducing the environmental impact within our collections care work has mainly been addressed through building design and revisions to how we maintain the physical collections entrusted to us. Research is now focussing on the impact of digital archiving which has become part of the standard remit of most services today.
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.
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.