Two new Beryl Cook sculptures join the family

31st March 2026

Two new life-sized sculptures inspired by Beryl Cook’s much-loved painting Hips and Chips have been unveiled today near the Belvedere on Plymouth Hoe, adding to the growing trail across the waterfront and city centre that celebrates her life and work.

Dating from the 1970s, the original painting is a characteristically humorous everyday scene with two women and a man dressed in shades of blue tucking into boxes of fish and chips and giving the infamous Beryl Cook ‘side eye’ to a wide hipped lady dressed in red and white as she unashamedly walks past them.

The two new figures, which have been funded by the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership and created, once again, by the team at the Theatre Royal’s TR2 production centre, join four existing sculptures that were installed across Plymouth’s city centre and waterfront in late January to coincide with the opening of The Box’s hugely popular Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy exhibition.

Since being unveiled the sculptures have proven to be a massive talking point with residents and visitors – as well as providing many people with the perfect selfie moment. The sculptures and exhibition all mark 100 years since Beryl Cook was born.

“The four original sculptures have been incredibly popular since they were installed so we’re delighted to have been able to support the creation of two more,” said Plymouth Waterfront Partnership CEO and Plymouth Waterfront Manager, Sarah Gibson. “This expanded collection strengthens Plymouth’s reputation as a city that celebrates its cultural heritage whilst also creating engaging public art experiences, all to attract people into the area and spread some joy. Our two new additions have already begun to capture everyone’s imaginations and we can’t wait to see more of the public’s photos brightening up social media as they’re out and about exploring our unique Waterfront.”

The four original sculptures are located outside The Dolphin Pub on Southside Street, The Barbican; near the bowling green on the Hoe; next to the entrance to the garden of The Bank Pub in the city centre and by the Frankfort Gate entrance to Plymouth Market.

To share your encounters with the sculptures, use #BerylTrail and tag @plymouthwaterfrontbid and @theboxplymouth.

Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy continues at The Box until 31 May 2026. The exhibition features over 80 works including rarely seen paintings and textiles plus insights from the Cook family's personal archives. Admission is free. To book a free ticket for a guaranteed time slot please visit  www.theboxplymouth.com. Find out more Beryl Cook themed fun in Plymouth.