George Shaw: The Local

George Shaw: The Local
The Box, Plymouth

When: 18 June 2022 to 04 September 2022
Where: The Box, Tavistock Place, Plymouth PL4 8AX
Time: 10am - 5pm
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Any age

18 June - 4 September 2022
Open 10am-5pm Tue to Sun and Bank Holidays

Visit The Box this summer to see a new presentation of existing works and new paintings by Turner Prize-nominated artist George Shaw. 'The Local' references his personal experiences and observations of isolation, loss and belonging.

The exhibition is divided into three chapters, the first being a sequence of paintings that show the Tile Hill area of Coventry where Shaw grew up. It continues with a more intimate collection of works that focus on the passing of his mother and the loss of the family home; a series of new drawings of the interior, paintings of the sky as well as household objects.

The last chapter of the exhibition introduces paintings based on an image of the artist walking along a country road, a path that leads from the old family home to a new journey and destination.

The title of the exhibition, 'The Local' is also a common way of referring to the nearest pub: a place anchored to the community, providing a local reference point and place where experiences are shared.

George Shaw is a Devon-based artist, living and working on the edge of Dartmoor. He was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2011 and was part of British Art Show 7 which toured nationally to Plymouth, also in 2011.

Admission is free and there is no need to book in advance.

Exhibition tours and a special talk by George Shaw will take place while the show is on display.

Exhibition Gallery

All images courtesy: Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London / Copyright The Artist.

George Shaw
The New Romantic, 2016-2020
Humbrol enamel on canvas
178.5 x 198 cm
Courtesy: Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London / Copyright The Artist
George Shaw
Love and Death on a Sunny Day, 2018
Humbrol enamel on board
92 x 121 cm
Courtesy: Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London / Copyright The Artist
George Shaw 
Christmas Eve Revisited, 2019-2021 
Humbrol enamel on board 
43 x 53 cm 
Private Collection, London / Courtesy: Anthony Wilkinson Gallery, London / Copyright The Artist

Exhibitions & Projects

  • Land of the Pharaohs: Egypt on Screen

    Land of the Pharaohs: Egypt on Screen

    Bill Douglas Centre

    29 January 2026 to 15 May 2026

    View details

  • Bruce Oliver: A Grand Old Man of Barnstaple

    Bruce Oliver: A Grand Old Man of Barnstaple

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    21 March 2026 to 16 May 2026

    View details

  • A Roof and A Sky

    A Roof and A Sky

    05 March 2026 to 17 May 2026

    View details

  • A Roof and A Sky

    A Roof and A Sky

    The Burton at Bideford

    05 March 2026 to 17 May 2026

    View details

  • Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy

    Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy

    The Box, Plymouth

    24 January 2026 to 31 May 2026

    View details

  • Journeys with Mai

    Journeys with Mai

    The Box, Plymouth

    14 February 2026 to 14 June 2026

    View details

  • Documentary Photography Open 2026

    Documentary Photography Open 2026

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    25 April 2026 to 20 June 2026

    View details

  • The Art of Resurgence: Celebrating 60 Years of Resurgence

    The Art of Resurgence: Celebrating 60 Years of Resurgence

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    23 May 2026 to 18 July 2026

    View details

  • Colour

    Colour

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    23 May 2026 to 06 September 2026

    View details

  • History off the Hanger

    History off the Hanger

    Killerton House

    14 February 2026 to 01 November 2026

    View details

  • Stored Secrets

    Stored Secrets

    Castle Drogo

    27 March 2026 to 01 November 2026

    View details

  • Insects Uncovered: Biodiversity in Newton Abbot Exhibition

    Insects Uncovered: Biodiversity in Newton Abbot Exhibition

    Newton Abbot Museum

    17 March 2026 to 01 March 2027

    View details