Zadie Xa: Long ago when tigers smoked
The Box, Plymouth
When: 02 April 2022 to 05 June 2022
Where: The Box, Tavistock Place, Plymouth PL4 8AX
Time: 10am - 5pm
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Any age
Open Tuesdays to Sundays and Bank Holidays from 10am-5pm
See textile paintings and sculptures by Canadian artist Zadie Xa, inspired by historic objects from The Box's collections.
‘Long ago when tigers smoked’ is a solo exhibition by Canadian artist Zadie Xa. Xa has explored The Box’s permanent collections and crafted her project around two selected objects, which will also be on display: an 1800s tiger puppet from Myanmar and a bamboo pipe from Korea that was acquired in 1910.Both objects are connected by Korean folk tales involving tigers smoking on long pipes, which simultaneously indicates something that may have happened a long time ago, but also invokes an idea of when everyone was equal, even humans and animals.
This dialogue with The Box’s historical collections will further expand on Xa’s interest and exploration of the trickster archetype and its manifestation within animals as they appear in mythology, and folklore.The exhibition includes new textile paintings and sculptures made in collaboration with artist Benito Mayor Vallejo.
Exhibitions & Projects
-
Carolyn Lefley: Ancient Sea
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
29 July 2025 to 25 January 2026
-
National Trust A Living Landscape: New Beginnings at Kipscombe
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
24 January 2026 to 14 March 2026
-
Artists North Devon: A Vibrant Community
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
07 February 2026 to 28 March 2026
-
This is me Call for entries: Documentary Photography Open 2026
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
01 December 2025 to 11 April 2026
-
Call for entries Young Digital Documentary Photography Open
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
01 December 2025 to 11 April 2026
-
Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy
The Box, Plymouth
24 January 2026 to 31 May 2026
-
Journeys with Mai
The Box, Plymouth
14 February 2026 to 14 June 2026
