Art Articles

The Box | Artist Development Bursaries: applications now open
Press Release - Feb 2021

Artist Development Bursaries: applications now open

We’re excited to announce that we’re inviting applications for five £1,000 bursaries from artists based in the South West, to support and share their practice through our digital platforms.

The Box | Plymouth to round off prestigious British Art Show 9
Press Release - Feb 2021

Plymouth to round off prestigious British Art Show 9

New dates for the UK’s most influential contemporary art exhibition, ‘British Art Show 9’ (BAS 9), have been confirmed today. The nationwide tour will culminate in Plymouth from 8 October to 23 December 2022. Prior to this, the exhibition will be displayed in Aberdeen, Wolverhampton and Manchester.

The Box | Narrenschiff, 2017 by Kehinde Wiley
Art - Feb 2021

Narrenschiff, 2017 by Kehinde Wiley

Enjoy this poetic text/meditation by award-winning poet and writer, Vanessa Onwuemezi. It connects to the themes in Kehinde Wiley's 'Narrenschiff' as well as some of her current reading on the modern history of the diaspora.

The Box | Kanye, 2015 by Kehinde Wiley
Art - Feb 2021

Kanye, 2015 by Kehinde Wiley

Discover more about 'Kanye, 2015' by Kehinde Wiley - a bronze bust depicting the American hip-hop artist which was recently displayed in our 'Kehinde Wiley: Ship of Fools' exhibition.

The Box | What's in a frame?
Art - Jan 2021

What's in a frame?

How many times have you looked at an exhibition without noticing the frames or how much they add to the overall display? Frames not only provide support and protection for an artwork, they also affect how we view a painting. When we were developing the ‘Our Art’ gallery at The Box we had to devise a range of framing solutions for some of our most important works of art. Here are some key examples.

The Box | Researching Plymouth's post-war art
Art - Jan 2021

Researching Plymouth's post-war art

In 2015, Engagement Officer Tony Davey was the recipient of the first-ever Maureen Attrill Bursary and used it to research the city’s post-war art collections. Find out more about what the bursary enabled him to do and how it helped his professional development.

The Box | Attrill Bursary relaunched
Press Release - Nov 2020

Research bursary dedicated to former city Art Curator is relaunched

A research bursary established in the memory a long-serving member of the City Council’s staff has been relaunched, and applications are now open.

Micro-commission artists continue to enjoy success
Art - Sep 2020

Micro-commission artists continue to enjoy success

Over the summer we rolled out a series of contemporary art micro-commissions by artists from Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall.

Line up and dates revealed for the next British Art Show
Press Release - Jun 2020

Line up and dates revealed for British Art Show

The curators of the UK’s biggest touring contemporary art exhibition, ‘British Art Show 9’ (BAS 9), have revealed its artist selection and dates today. The exhibition will travel to Plymouth in late 2022. Prior to this it will be displayed in Wolverhampton, Aberdeen and Manchester.

Contemporary art micro commissions
Press Release - May 2020

Covid-19 Commissions: State of Emergency - contemporary art micro-commissions

We're inviting artists based in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall to apply for 20 paid micro-commissions as part of one of our new initiatives in response to Covid-19.

Conserving an iconic painting
Art - May 2020

Behind The Scenes, 6 May 2020: A light in the dark - conserving an iconic painting

A few weeks ago we set down our tools, halted our installation and put collections back into storage as we prepared for lockdown. Although these are uneasy times, it’s also a chance for us to reflect on how far we’ve already come and look ahead. One of our works perfectly captures that search for light in the darkness. It’s William Daniell’s ‘Eddystone Lighthouse, During a Storm’, and it’s one of many works of art to undergo special conservation in preparation for our opening.

Art Rainbow
Art - Apr 2020

Culture in Quarantine, 30 April 2020: A Rainbow of Art

Have you been seeing rainbows? In windows all around Plymouth, as well as the UK, USA, Canada and Europe, children and adults have been crafting rainbows. They're connecting neighbours and communities whilst social distancing measures are in place, and helping to show support for our amazing frontline workers.