The Triumph of Art

The Triumph of Art by artist Jeremy Deller is a nationwide performance that rounds off the National Gallery's Bicentenary celebrations. It marks how festivals are part and parcel of art, culture and civic life, and that art and artists can be catalysts of collaboration and joy.

The role art plays in our public collections, cultural spaces and museums is the new work’s main theme. Deller has drawn inspiration from the Renaissance painter Titian’s wild processions of the Roman gods, as in his famous Bacchus and Ariadne (1520‒23), as well as folklore, dances, plays, rave culture and popular arts.

The Box is one of four UK-wide partners for The Triumph of Art along with Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee, Mostyn in Llandudno and The Playhouse in Derry/Londonderry.

Over the next few months we'll be working with Jeremy Deller and the National Gallery to research, develop and stage a programme of activities and local performance events. These collaborative regional projects will culminate in a major performance on Trafalgar Square in summer 2025. As we build up to this, we have devised a programme of events and activities that will take place over the coming months. Exploring the themes of the project and previous works by Deller and ranging from workshops to performances, there will be lots of ways to participate and learn more about Deller’s practice and the project.

Our first event will be a free screening of Deller’s Everybody in the Place (2018), which will take place on 17 October at Plymouth Arts Cinema. Later that week, we'll ne hosting a very special performance of Deller’s 1998 work, Acid Brass, here at The Box on 19 October. Tickets are available now! There will then be regular screenings throughout the winter and into the spring, as well as workshops for students and community groups. Keep your eyes peeled for updates about other events and opportunities to get involved.

Jeremy Deller (b. 1966, London) studied History of Art at the Courtauld Institute and at Sussex University. He began making artworks in the early 1990s, often showing them outside conventional galleries. With projects including The Battle of Orgreave (2001) and We’re here because we’re here (2016), he is known for works that involve people and explore the themes of performance art and popular culture.

Find out more

• Listen to Jeremy Deller discuss his career and creative influences on BBC Sounds' 'This Cultural Life'
• Read our press announcement about The Triumph of Art
• Find out more about our Assistant Curator for The Triumph of Art