Collection Articles
Press Release - Sep 2023
The Box awarded unique grant to acquire work by Turner Prize-nominated artist Ingrid Pollard MBE
The Box, Plymouth’s award-winning museum, art gallery and archive, is one of two organisations in the UK to be awarded funding through the latest round of the Freelands Art Fund Acquisition – a unique partnership between Art Fund and Freelands Foundation. Launched in 2021, the partnership helps museums acquire work by contemporary women artists that have won the Freelands Award.
Press Release - Aug 2023
Huge rarely-seen painting to be unrolled at The Box as part of a special ‘conservation in action’ event
A giant painting which hasn’t been seen in public for decades will be rolled out at The Box on Wednesday 27 September, as part of a live ‘conservation in action’ event.
Art - Aug 2023
Wally Birds by the Martin Brothers
There are some weird and wonderful creatures perching within our giant display case but they are not from within our Natural History collection!
Art - Aug 2023
'Jib' and 'Barquentine' by Margaret Lovell
Lovell's works vary in size from miniature to monumental. The two pieces we are highlighting here are inspired by sailing and are bronzes - a material she is renowned for using. They were acquired following a career-defining retrospective exhibition of Lovell's work at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery in 1972.
Press Release - May 2023
'Dig for Victory' dress
The dress was gifted to our collections in 1996 and dates from 1939-1945. It’s an example of mid-20th century fashion as well as a piece of propaganda, and you can see it in a huge case featuring hundreds of objects from our decorative art collection in our ‘People and Place’ exhibition.
Art - May 2023
‘Card Table’ by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912-2004) was one of the most significant British female artists of the twentieth century. She was born in St Andrews, Scotland but after relocating to St Ives she became one of the central figures there. This work is an oil on hardboard dating from the late 1960s and was gifted to our collections in 1976 by the Contemporary Art Society.
Art - Apr 2023
Bernard Moore: Small animal ceramics
These bright and perfectly formed porcelain pieces are particularly popular with our younger visitors looking for nature in art. They were created using innovative methods that potter Bernard Moore became known for.
Art - Apr 2023
‘Friend in my Studio’ by Rose Hilton
Rose Hilton (1931-2019) was the fourth of eight children born to Julia and Robert Phipps in Kent in August 1931. This pink-hued work is called ‘Friend in My Studio’. It was painted in 1978/9 and acquired for Plymouth’s collections in 1979 with the support of the V&A’s Purchase Grant Fund.
Press Release - Mar 2023
60 years of television history digitised and preserved for the public in libraries across the UK
The Box is delighted to be part of BFI Replay – a UK-wide initiative that is offering free access to 60 years of screen history in libraries across the country.
Press Release - Mar 2023
Castor and Pollux Dish
This large purple dish with a design that features two figures is inspired by a beautiful Greek myth. Make sure you take a look at it when you visit our 'People and Place: Art Collection Showcase'.
Art - Mar 2023
'Fishing Boat, St Ives' by Margo Maeckelberghe
Margo Maeckelberghe (1932-2014) was born Margo Try in Penzance. She studied at Penzance School of Art and then at Bath School of Art, both of which were thriving artistic environments. This work is titled ‘Fishing Boat, St Ives’ and was acquired for Plymouth’s fine art collection in 1967.
Press Release - Mar 2023
International Women's Day: Top Ten
In honour of this year's International Women's Day, here's a female-themed 'top ten' for you to look out for next time you visit The Box.