Cornish identity and cultural landscape explored in new exhibition and poetry collection by Danny Fox
The Levinsky Gallery at University of Plymouth is delighted to present Kingdom, Danny Fox’s first UK solo institutional exhibition, 12 April – 7 June 2025, with a curated programme of associated events. The exhibition is supported by Hannah Barry Gallery.
Kingdom features paintings that explore the complexities of Cornish identity, drawing on personal and historical narratives.
Danny Fox next to Kingdom 2025, acrylic on canvas, by Danny Fox. Photo credit Dom Moore
The body of work is both intimate and expansive, offering a deeply felt perspective on Cornwall’s cultural landscape. Kingdom is a testament to the ways in which identity is shaped by place, perspective, and the ever-present dialogue between past and present.
“Cornwall is a part of England, and I’m not here to argue that fact geographically or politically. However, I can tell you what it’s like to grow up in Cornwall and what it feels like to cross the Tamar”– Danny Fox, Artist
Kingdom opening event, The Levinsky Gallery. Photo credit Dom Moore
The Levinsky Gallery hosted an Opening Event on 11 April, attended by Danny Fox, Hannah Barry, artists and art-lovers, who enjoyed a first look at the exhibition, including the recreation of Fox’s studio, which audiences are encouraged to explore and interact with, creating their own art using the materials provided.
As part of its public Arts and Culture Programme, University of Plymouth is offering a series of free-to-attend associated events for audiences to gain insights into Fox’s creative practice and explore the themes of the exhibition through talks, tours and film. Alongside students on the University’s programmes, spanning Fine Art to English and Creative Writing, there has already been significant interest from Southwest creatives to connect with the St Ives-based artist and his work.
Anthony Caleshu speaking at Kingdom opening event, The Levinksy Gallery. Photo credit Dom Moore
To coincide with the exhibition launch, Danny Fox collaborated with Anthony Caleshu, Professor of Poetry and Series Editor of Periplum Press at University of Plymouth, to publish Fox’s first poetry collection, titled Bootscraper:
“The poems are frenetic in their rhyming, free-running in their narratives, and wild for their tangible sensory descriptions, making us see ‘alligator yellows’ and smell the ‘beards of beer sweet feathers’. Everywhere there’s junction and disjunction. Everywhere, the two – poetry and painting – meet.”
– Professor Anthony Caleshu, Series Editor, Periplum, University of Plymouth.
Bootscraper is now available to purchase from Periplum priced £7.50, alongside a signed, limited-edition broadside of one of Fox’s poems from the same collection, The Battle of Down Alone, priced from £50.
Toxic Chemistry, 2023, Acrylic on canvas, 213 x 183cm by Danny Fox. Photo credit Dom Moore
The Levinsky Gallery is open Tuesday–Friday 10:00–16:00, Saturday 12:00–16:00, Closed Mondays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Exhibition and associated events: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/whats-on/kingdom
Periplum: www.plymouth.ac.uk/periplum
