Stories that inspire: current displays category

Read the fascinating stories of how and why artworks have been selected for show around the world.

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A photo of a man with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He is wearing a grey suit and a dark grey tie, and is smiling at the camera.

A most unlikely Ambassador

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75 years ago, Sir Horace Phillips – the first British Jewish career ambassador – entered the diplomatic service. A new display of works from the Government Art Collection in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office celebrates his life and career.

A forest clearing, with trees soft like wilting cabbages.

‘Sentimental meanderings’: a new display in Berne

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Diplomatic relations between the UK and Switzerland were established in the early 19th century.

A work of art in the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office; a set of three white shelves with an assortment of colourful plastic objects sitting on it, including an orange outline of a tree, wine and water glasses, decorative ornaments, a hookah.

A global reception: the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is responsible for protecting and promoting the UK’s interests worldwide. In 2022, new works of art from the Government Art Collection went up on the walls of its iconic building in London.

Journeys of the heart: the UK and the Holy See

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2022 marked 40 years of full diplomatic relations between the UK and The Holy See.

A view of the display in the British Ambassador's Residence in Ankara, Turkey. A polished, wooden dining table, with ten chairs visible; behind it are two wooden doors and works of art hanging on the wall; a vivid black and yellow print in the centre and four smaller ones farming the doors

Eye of the Sultan: a new display for Ankara

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During the 18th century, diplomatic relations between the UK and Turkey were formalised. A new display of works of art in the British Ambassador’s Residence in Ankara tells the story of this historic engagement, and follows the countries' shared histories.