A familiar Plymouth scene with a fascinating backstory is on display at The Box.
Royal Parade at Night, painted in 1987, captures the city centre glowing under evening streetlights, showcasing the post-war architecture that helped shape modern Plymouth.
The name on the painting, Yram Allets, hides a secret. It was the artistic name of British artist Stella Mary Edwards, who created the pseudonym by spelling her name backwards. Unlike many female artists who historically adopted different names to overcome barriers in the art world, Edwards used hers to create a separate identity from her husband, who was also a painter.
The artwork also provides a glimpse into Plymouth’s transformation after the Second World War, following the ambitious 1943 Plan for Plymouth by Patrick Abercrombie and James Paton Watson, which reshaped the city centre with wide avenues and modernist design.
A small artwork with a big story behind it.
Photographs © Wayne Perry / Plymouth Post
