Hepworth, Moore and Lowry come to North Devon as part of summer exhibition

‘Into Abstraction: Modern British Art and the Landscape’ runs until 14 September at The Burton at Bideford. Free entry.

Works by a host of well-known 20th century artists including Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, L.S. Lowry, Patrick Heron and Elisabeth Frink are currently on display in Bideford as part of The Burton’s major summer exhibition.

‘Into Abstraction: Modern British Art and the Landscape’ examines the intersection of abstraction and landscape in British art from the 1920s to the early 1970s. Organised in collaboration with The Hepworth Wakefield, ‘Into Abstraction’ draws on their extensive holdings of modern art to explore how artists used abstraction during periods of social upheaval to engage with the natural world and human experience.

The exhibition considers landscape in relation to themes such as regionalism, class, sexuality, psychological anxiety, and industry. Created during times of national crisis, these works demonstrate how abstraction offers redemption when realism falls short. As we navigate our own unsettled times, this exhibition underscores the importance of abstraction in understanding the world we live in.

The exhibition also spotlights works by artists connected to North Devon, including Northam-born Allin Braund, who studied at Bideford School of Art, and South West-based Gillian Ayres and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, who are both represented in The Burton’s permanent collection.

Harriet Cooper, Director of The Burton at Bideford, says:

“The Burton is delighted to collaborate with The Hepworth Wakefield to bring world-class works of modern art to North Devon, many for the first time.

“The rich artistic history of the South West is deeply connected to the power, beauty and complexity of our landscapes. This exhibition helps us reflect on how abstraction has been used as a tool to explore this by artists throughout the 20th century and still to this present day by the many artists and makers in this region.”

The exhibition includes works by over 40 notable artists such as Roger Fry, Duncan Grant, Emmy Bridgwater, Elisabeth Frink, Patrick Heron, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Prunella Clough, L.S. Lowry, and many others.

Installation view, ‘Into Abstraction: Modern British Art and the Landscape’ at The Burton at Bideford, 2025. Photography by Jim Wileman.

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 ‘Into Abstraction: Modern British Art and the Landscape’ is organised in collaboration with The Hepworth Wakefield, with support from The Golsoncott Foundation and Little Greene Paint Company.

The exhibition runs from 19th July – 14th September at The Burton at Bideford, EX39 2QQ. Free entry.

See www.theburton.org for more details on the exhibition and accompanying events.

ABOUT THE BURTON AT BIDEFORD

Burton at Bideford. Other Worlds: New Works from the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers

Explore the vibrancy of contemporary printmaking in this exhibition that brings together new work by members of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. Introducing an eclectic range of personal, ecological, architectural, and even psychedelic realms, Other Worlds reveals the agility of expression and skilful techniques underpinning printmaking today. 

The Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers is one of the world's premier printmaking organisations, originally founded in 1888. From its home at Bankside Gallery, next to Tate Modern on the South Bank of the Thames, it supports and promotes the full diversity of printmaking practices, encouraging excellence, experimentation and innovation within its membership and through its education and engagement activities.

Other Worlds is the centrepiece of our season celebrating printmaking and printmakers, including artist talks, workshops and demonstrations that will bring the best of contemporary printmaking to the South West. 

  

A General History of Quadrupeds V by Leonie Bradley

 

Other Worlds: New Works from the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers
11th January – 1st March 2025 

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For more details see www.theburton.org

Glad Tidings and Season's Greetings

Glad Tidings and Season's Greetings to you lovers of nature, wildlife and the coast and countryside. Thank you so much for visiting and liking the pictures and posts on my North Devon Focus Website, Blog, Facebook, Flickr and Instagram. Thank you for sharing your news and local events.

It's been another storm-filled  year for everyone so I hope this little Robin brings some brightness to your day. 

🎄🎄🎅🎅Merry Christmas🎅🎅 🎄🎄

Here's to happiness,  health and peace in 2025

Just a reminder for birders and nature watchers the Big Garden Birdwatch 2025 will take place from Friday, January 24th to Sunday, January 26th

The Burton at Bideford Art Gallery & Museum appoints Harriet Cooper as Director

The Burton at Bideford has announced the appointment of Harriet Cooper as its new Director. She will start her new role on 16th September.

Harriet is a curator known for her developmental work with early-career artists, expertise in commissioning new work, and strategic leadership of national partnership projects. Her most recent roles have included Project Director at Southwark Park Galleries for national touring exhibition ‘Jerwood Survey III’; Curator of the UAL Art Collection; and member of the Arts Council Collection Acquisitions Committee 2022-25.

From 2018-22 Harriet was Head of Visual Arts for independent funder Jerwood Arts, supporting over 85 early-career visual artists, curators and arts writers to create ambitious new works, and building partnerships with 18 visual arts organisations across the UK. In this role she spearheaded pioneering new programmes including Jerwood Curatorial Accelerator – a 12-month curatorial and leadership development programme for curators from working class/low socio-economic backgrounds – and strategically shaped specialist commissioning initiatives such as Jerwood Art Fund Makers Open and the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards.

Harriet was co-curator of Phyllida Barlow’s celebrated solo commission ‘folly’ for the British Pavilion at the 57th Venice Art Biennale in 2017 and worked with Delhi-based Raqs Media Collective in 2018 to develop the project ‘Not Yet At Ease’ for 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary. She has previously worked in the curatorial teams at Firstsite in Colchester, the British Council in London, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Tate Liverpool, and has served as an independent member of the Cymru yn Fenis Wales in Venice Advisory Committee.

Harriet said: “As a passionate advocate for the importance of art and artists in society, I am thrilled to join The Burton at this pivotal moment in the organisation’s journey. Since it was founded in 1951 The Burton has been committed to celebrating, exhibiting and nurturing artists, and I am looking forward to working with the incredible team of trustees, staff and volunteers to continue this essential legacy. The Burton is renowned as one of North Devon’s most important creative destinations and it is an honour to guide its next steps as the team strive to centre accessibility and sustainability in plans to improve the building, extend outreach and education programmes, and present even more ambitious projects and exhibitions for our audiences.”

Chair of The Burton trustees Robert Millward commented: “"I am certain that the appointment of Harriet as our new Director will help all of us at The Burton, staff and trustees alike, expand our horizons and consider novel and innovative ways to further improve and grow our wonderful gallery."

The Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum is a National Portfolio Organisation and one of the leading cultural venues within the South West, attracting over 180,000 visitors last year. It is situated in the historic town of Bideford, where art, craft and maritime heritage meet at the water’s edge. With two exhibition spaces, heritage displays, craft gallery, a retail area, an education space and a café, The Burton attracts a wide range of audiences and provides the opportunity to access and engage with artists, collections and exhibitions on all levels. Placing community at the heart of all its activities, The Burton offers a rich outreach programme for those who don’t have easy access to a traditional arts venue.

The exhibition programme brings some of the most celebrated international artists to North Devon in partnership with leading organisations such as Tate, Arts Council Collection and the British Museum. Recent exhibitions include solo presentations by Louise Bourgeois (Tate ARTIST ROOMS), Paula Rego, and Yinka Shonibare CBE; while the Annual Schools Exhibition, Westward Ho! & Bideford Art Society Annual Open Exhibition and Annual Friends Exhibition highlight the thriving artistic community in the region.

The Burton also supports contemporary artists through its annual Environmental and Ceramics Commissions, which offer an artist access to our collections and the opportunity to produce a body of work in response. The positions are currently held by Cornwall-based Andy Hughes (Environmental Commission) and Glasgow-based Florence Dwyer (Ceramics Commission).

Originally established to house the collections of Hubert Coop RBA, The Burton now displays a rich array of artefacts that vividly capture the history of Bideford and its surrounding area. The museum's dedicated Ceramics Gallery features the RJ Lloyd Collection, renowned for its North Devon slipware, and the Christine Halstead Collection of studio ware, providing an insightful introduction to the region’s ceramic heritage. The Permanent Collection also features work by artists including Gillian Ayres, Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA FRS, Aubrey Hunt, Bertram Prance, James Ravilious, and the archive of Mary Stella Edwards and Judith Ackland.

 

Harriet Cooper. Photo copyright Carole Evans (All Rights Reserved)

Westward Ho! & Bideford Art Society show opens at The Burton this month

The Annual Open exhibition showcases the wealth of artistic talent in the region

The Westward Ho! and Bideford Art Society (WHOBIDARTS) Annual Open Exhibition returns to The Burton at Bideford Art Gallery & Museum later this month.

A highlight of the North Devon arts calendar, the annual WHOBIDARTS show features work by both established and up-and-coming artists in a range of media, from paint and print to sculpture, ceramics and textiles.

The exhibition is open to members and associates of the Society as well as non-members, with an eclectic mix of over 200 artworks on display, many of which will be available to buy.

The Ken Doughty prize for excellence – in commemoration of the Society’s past president – will be awarded to an outstanding artwork chosen from the exhibition. Ken Doughty served as chairman from 1993 and president from 2002. Last year’s winner was Sue Luxton for her painting Midnight Kitchen.

Gill Jones, the Chair of WHOBIDARTS, commented
“We are delighted to be at The Burton once again to exhibit work by so many of our local artists. We hope the variety will delight our visitors. It usually does!”

The Annual Open Exhibition runs at The Burton from 24 August until 13 October 2024. Admission is free.

 

Midnight Kitchen by Sue Luxton © Sue Luxton

 

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A Burton at Bideford Media Release

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THE BURTON AT BIDEFORD

Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ 

Email: info@theburton.org

Tel: 01237 471455
Website: www.burtonartgallery.co.uk

Instagram/Facebook @BurtonatBideford

Burton At Bideford wins £120k of Arts Council England funding to improve sustainability

The Burton At Bideford art gallery and museum has been awarded a £120,000 grant from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme.

This funding will enable The Burton to continue providing high-quality creative and cultural experiences for people in North Devon, while reducing the organisation’s environmental impact.

The money will be used to improve the sustainability of the Burton building, with plans to install solar PV panels and update the glazing on the front elevation, as well as modernising the heating systems and bathrooms.

The funding also includes commissioning opportunities for local artists, helping The Burton to further build its reputation for supporting work about the environment through its series of Environmental Commissions.

The Capital Investment Programme supports the Arts Council’s mission to ensure communities across the country have the infrastructure where creativity for everyone can thrive.

Carole Evans, Co-Director (Interim), Learning & Engagement at The Burton, said: “In a landscape of rising energy costs, the past couple of years have been challenging for The Burton – as a charity we rely on grants and donations to continue the valuable work we do. This funding from Arts Council England will reduce our costs over the long term, allowing more of our precious funds to go to providing outreach projects, free workshops for children, and continuing to bring high-quality exhibitions to North Devon.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said: “This infrastructure investment will help a whole range of different cultural organisations across England to flourish, increasing opportunities for people to enjoy creatively excellent cultural events close to where they live. It’s particularly important that we’re making this happen in communities where cultural investment has historically been low”.

ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois opens at the Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum this November

A new exhibition opening at the Burton includes sculptures, prints and drawings by the acclaimed French-American artist Louise Bourgeois. Eight decades of intense creativity firmly established Louise Bourgeois as a giant of 20th century art. Through this exhibition, the Burton at Bideford makes her ground-breaking work freely available to the people of North Devon for the first time.

ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois opens at the Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum on Friday 17 November, 6-8pm, and runs until 11 February 2024. Admission is free.

Born in Paris in 1911, Bourgeois settled in New York in 1938, where she remained for the rest of her life, continuing to make art until her death at the age of 98. Her endlessly inventive work, inspired by her memories and experiences, spanned monumental installations, figurative sculptures, fabric collages, and drawings. She is perhaps best known for the large-scale spider sculptures that she produced in the last decades of her life, including one she created for the opening of Tate Modern in 2000.

Bourgeois’s art was closely bound up with her life, and she used artmaking as a way to make sense of her experiences. Her sculpture, drawing, and writing are characterised by emotional honesty, and she reworked her ideas in different forms and materials including marble, bronze, latex, and fabric, compelled by the need to make and re-make.

This exhibition focuses on works produced during the last 20 years of her life, a period of extraordinary creativity, during which Bourgeois re-examined many of her lifelong concerns to create a body of powerful new work exploring identity, gender, childhood, family and motherhood. Personal, provocative and raw, Bourgeois’s work reaches us with a powerful immediacy more than a decade after her death.

ARTIST ROOMS presents the work of international artists in solo exhibitions drawn from a national touring collection jointly owned by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland. This exhibition is drawn from the ARTIST ROOMS collection and includes works on loan from The Easton Foundation and Tate. This is the Burton at Bideford’s third collaboration with Tate and National Galleries of Scotland through the ARTIST ROOMS programme, and follows presentations of internationally renowned artists Richard Long (2014) and Diane Arbus (2018).

Warren Collum, Interim Co-Director of the Burton, said:

“Working in partnership with Tate and National Galleries of Scotland through the ARTIST ROOMS programme for the third time to present one of the twentieth century's most influential female sculptors, Louise Bourgeois, is a unique opportunity.

This show not only celebrates art but also emphasises the need to bring culture to rural areas, as well as putting a light on the strength and ingenuity of women in the creative world.”

The ARTIST ROOMS programme provides support for young people to get involved in creative projects, discover more about art and artists, and learn new skills. A Burton Youth Collective will be supported through ARTIST ROOMS by Art Fund and Henry Moore Foundation, providing local teenagers with the opportunity to explore a career in the arts, experience life behind the scenes of an arts organisation, and work alongside practising artists. Sessions are open to young people aged 13-19 years. Places are limited and anyone interested is advised to contact the gallery to check availability and register their interest.

Louise Bourgeois Spirals 2005
ARTIST ROOMS Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Lent by Artist Rooms Foundation 2013
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2023. Photo © Tate

Louise Bourgeois 10am is When You Come to Me 2006
ARTIST ROOMS Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Lent by Artist Rooms Foundation 2013
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2023. Photo © Tate

THE BURTON AT BIDEFORD

Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ 

Email: info@theburton.org

Tel: 01237 471455
Website: www.burtonartgallery.co.uk

Instagram/Facebook @BurtonatBideford

Contemporary Artist, Louise Bourgeois coming to the Burton at Bideford in November

French-American artist Louise Bourgeois is widely recognised as one of the most important and influential figures of modern and contemporary art, with a career spanning eight decades from the 1930s to 2010. 

ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois brings together works which she made during the last twenty years of her life, a period of extraordinary creativity.

Bourgeois’s art was often autobiographical, exploring themes such as childhood, family, motherhood, identity and gender. She reworked her ideas in different forms and materials, creating large-scale sculpture and installation, painting, printmaking, drawing and textiles. Both biographical and universal, Bourgeois’s work reaches us with a powerful immediacy more than a decade after her death.

This is the Burton at Bideford’s third collaboration with Tate and National Galleries of Scotland through the ARTIST ROOMS programme, and follows presentations of internationally renowned artists Richard Long (2014) and Diane Arbus (2018)

Exhibition launch: Friday 17 November, 6-8pm

Join Burton at Bideford and special guests from Tate to celebrate the exhibition opening

 The Burton Art Gallery & Museum, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 2QQ

Current & upcoming exhibitions > 

The art of bringing stories to life with the Burton at Bideford

We enjoyed two of the recent exhibitions at the Burton at Bideford, 'Celebrating 40 Years of Michael Morpurgo's War Horse' was an emotive journey through time illustrating his iconic novel written in 1982, its stage adaption in 2007 culminating in the award winning film, directed by Stephen Spielberg, in 2011. This ran alongside 'The Permanent Collection Curated by Community Groups' bringing together contemporary work created by local people in response to the Burton at Bideford's Permanent Collection of art, an interesting concept, which included work by the Burton Young Photographers, Women's First and Devon Recovery Learning Community.

Celebrating the history of the area with local art & ceramic exhibitions and a host of art and craft workshops for all ages, we are so lucky to have such a bright spot in Bideford. The graphic designs on the exterior walls were created back in June 2021 by exhibiting artist Lucy McLauchlan, a nod to her amazing exhibition: Woodlands, Wastelands & Waterways.

The Burton Art Gallery and Museum is situated on the Pill beside Victoria Park so you can check out the exhibitions and collections, take a coffee break at the Cafe du Parc and finish with a stroll around the park.

 

Bideford bright spot - Photo credit Pat Adams

 

The Art Box & Kiln, Burton at Bideford - Photo credit Pat Adams

 

Artist, Lucy McLauchlan, a nod to her amazing exhibition: Woodlands, Wastelands at Burton at Bideford 2021. Photo credit Pat Adams

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Current Exhibitions

'Revealing the Human Form' is a new exhibition showcasing the work of renowned British sculptors including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Jacob Epstein and Antony Gormley. 15th July-5th September

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Jam Westwood: Don’t Look At My Jugs… And Other Stories - A collection of reimagined historical artefacts made by Jam Westwood

17th June-19th September

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The Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum are open daily. Admission is free.

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 TAP HERE to visit their website to keep up to date with the latest special events and workshop activities  

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The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon EX39 2QQ

The Burton at Bideford has been a registered charity since 2016

Retelling Her-story: a new ceramics exhibition at the Burton

Retelling Her-story: a new ceramics exhibition at the Burton explores the role of women in contemporary society and the history of art

A fascinating and thought-provoking exhibition of work by Jam Westwood, a ceramicist and conceptual artist from the North East of England, opens at the Burton on Saturday 17 June.

Jam Westwood was recently interviewed by Grayson Perry on Channel 4 as part of the third season of Grayson's Art Club.

Don’t Look At My Jugs… And Other Stories is an exhibition of re-imagined historical artefacts that explores the reality of the everyday experience of women in society today. It’s an exhibition that throws light onto the physical, social, professional and domestic injustices encountered on a daily basis. It also asks us to question whether society is as progressive as we might think.

Dealing with often heavy and challenging subject matters, Jam Westwood’s work is actually full of lightness, humour and playfulness to delight audiences. There’s an ultimate message of hope too.

Featuring a collection of carefully crafted vessels, vases, bowls and coins, these are pieces that wouldn’t initially look out of place in a traditional museum cabinet. Yet a closer inspection tells a very different story.

We see works that celebrate the menstrual cycle and the various different experiences of the menopause. There are also works that reclaim the derogatory terms that have been used to insult women throughout history alongside works that challenge gender stereotypes and toxic masculinity.

Many of the finished works have been deliberately broken or chipped. This gives them the gravitas of age while also alluding to the repeated injury and damage done to women throughout history. It also speaks of the artist’s desire to break taboos and disrupt the dominant narrative in which the female voice can be hard to hear.

Don’t Look At My Jugs… And Other Stories is an arresting exhibition that asks us to look at how we live. What is the history we are writing? What is the history we want to be a part of?

Don’t Look At My Jugs… And Other Stories opens on 17 June and runs until 19 September.

There is opportunity to meet the artist in person at the gallery on Saturday 17 June, 2pm.

The gallery, museum and shop are open daily. Admission is free.

 

Tell Me Again© Jam Westwood

Menses (The Period God) © Jam Westwood

 

Queen Jane of Faceburgh © Jam Westwood

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THE BURTON AT BIDEFORD, Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ
(e) info@theburton.org (t) 01237 471455 (w) www.burtonartgallery.co.uk

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/burtonartgallery/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/burtonatbideford

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ABOUT THE BURTON AT BIDEFORD

The Burton at Bideford seeks new Trustees to help grow the arts and culture in North Devon

The Burton at Bideford has been a registered charity since 2016 and is currently looking to recruit new Trustees to the Board.

With North Devon highlighted as a priority area by the government for arts funding, there’s no better time to get involved.

The role of Trustee is very rewarding, providing an opportunity to give something back to your local community and the arts in the South West. We are happy to receive applications from experienced Trustees or those who are new to the role of Trustee.

The Burton would particularly like to receive applications from potential Trustees with an interest in and experience of the arts, and with a fundraising, finance, legal or education background. However, applications are welcome from anyone who feels that they have skills and experience to offer the Burton.

The Burton also welcome applications from people who are currently underrepresented in the UK arts sector. This includes those who identify as D/deaf, disabled, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent; those from lower socio-economic backgrounds or living or working in areas of socio-economic deprivation; as well as people from diverse ethnic backgrounds and marginalised groups.

As well as being a registered charity, the Burton also became an Arts Council Funded National Portfolio Organisation in 2018 and has recently had confirmation of another three years of funding for 2023-2026. We pride ourselves on offering an exciting programme of exhibitions as well as a wide range of other activities including developing educational work, outreach activities, workshops, supporting local artists, volunteers and making the Burton a wonderful place to visit for the whole community as well as visitors to the area.

We are looking for three new Trustees to join our Board.  

Full details including how to apply is available on our website:

www.burtonartgallery.co.uk/vacancies 

Queries about the role should be directed to chair@theburton.org

The Burton at Bideford Art Gallery and Museum are open daily. Admission is free.
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The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon EX39 2QQ 

What's On Burton at Bideford. Exhibition: The Permanent Collection Curated by Community Groups

A fresh look at the Burton at Bideford’s Permanent Collection of art through the eyes of the town’s local community

A new must-see exhibition at the Burton takes a refreshing look at the gallery’s Permanent Collection of art and has been co-curated by three local community groups in collaboration with gallery staff.

Over the course of the past six months, Women’s First, Devon Recovery Learning Community, and the Burton Young Photographers, have had a unique opportunity to delve into the gallery’s store and take a closer look at their Permanent Collection.

Under the expert guidance of the Learning and Engagement team, participants were invited to explore works from the Collection in relation to their own personal stories and lived experiences. They were then encouraged to create their own art in response.

Participants learned a variety of skills in the process, including printmaking, photography and collage. The exhibition showcases participants’ work alongside rarely exhibited works from the Burton’s Permanent Collection.

In looking at art from the past from a variety of new and contemporary perspectives, we’re reminded just how relevant art is in our modern day world. The exhibition also highlights the importance of art and creativity to good mental health and wellbeing.

Carole Evans, Learning and Engaging Manager says,

This collection was left to the Burton for the people of Bideford to enjoy. What better way to do so than to provide opportunities for members of the community to spend time with the artworks, and then creatively respond? Through the eyes of the community groups, the paintings from the collection become more meaningful and more relevant to today’s society. The new work provides an insight into what concerns people who live here today, in particular the benefit of creativity to wellbeing.

 

In commenting about the project, one of the participant says,

Art is my passion. To be a part of this exhibition means everything to me. I would never have imagined I would be involved with something like this. It’s dreams coming true.

Women’s First is a project run by Encompass and aims to support women who are rough sleeping, sofa surfing or living in temporary accommodation.

Devon Recovery Learning Community is a free, open access service funded by Devon Partnership NHS Trust to support mental health and wellbeing.

The Burton Young Photographers are a group of 14 -18 year olds who have been meeting at the Burton on Tuesdays after school to learn the art of photographic portraiture through a series of free workshops funded by the Fine Arts Society.

  

The Permanent Collection: Curated by Community Groups is open daily from 22 May until 4 July. Admission is free.

 

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Burton at Bideford Permanent Collection: Estuary by Reginald James Lloyd © the artist

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The Permanent Collection Curated by Community Groups
22nd May-4th July

TAP HERE TO VISIT THE BURTON AT BIDEFORD WEBSITE

Burton Art Gallery and Museum, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon. EX39 2QQ