Woolsery Show Time. Farming traditions and rural life

What better way to celebrate rural life than a visit to a traditional agricultural show. The first Woolfardisworthy "Colt Show", now the Woolsery Show, was held in 1892 and apart from the war, foot and mouth and Covid it has continued to be a draw for locals and visitors to Bideford, North Devon. It is now held annually on the last Monday in July. In 2008 the show moved from the Milky Way Family Park at Higher Clovelly to the grounds of the Clovelly Court Estate.

Featured just a few of the events in the main ring, surrounded by colourful trade, farming community and vintage equipment and food stands and craft marques.

Check out the video clip of the day

  Images include Fancy Dress Parade, Horse, Sheep, Cattle Competitions, Shire Horses and Concorde Elegance, Team Relay, Parade of Hounds, Meet the Hounds -credit Pat Adams North Devon Focus -  View High Res images on my gallery on Flickr

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North Devon Focus. Watching the changing seasons throughout the year, looking out and photographing events, nature, wildlife and places while walking on the North Devon coast and in the countryside. 
All photos/articles copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)

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The Burton at Bideford presents 'A Joyful Parasite’ by Saelia Aparicio.

The Burton at Bideford presents 'A Joyful Parasite', the largest commission to date by Spanish-born, London-based artist Saelia Aparicio. Through sculpture, murals and installation, the exhibition creates an imagined ecosystem of curious hybrid creatures, inviting visitors to explore transformation, belonging and our connections with the living world.

Playful, humorous and visually captivating, 'A Joyful Parasite' reflects The Burton's commitment to bringing ambitious contemporary art and distinctive artistic voices to North Devon. Saelia draws on folk mythologies, biology and science fiction to create imagined worlds where the boundaries between humans, animals and plants begin to dissolve. Often working with reclaimed materials, she invites us to think differently about care, coexistence and the ways living things adapt and thrive.

Commissioned by Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, in partnership with Southwark Park Galleries, London, and The Burton, 'A Joyful Parasite' marks an important moment in The Burton's programme. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting ambitious new commissions and ensuring that significant contemporary art is developed and experienced across the UK.

Harriet Cooper, Director of The Burton at Bideford, said: "Supporting artists to realise ambitious new work is an important part of what we do at The Burton. Through this partnership, we're delighted to bring Saelia's work to North Devon, giving audiences the chance to experience a major new commission they might otherwise have to travel elsewhere to see. What makes her work so compelling is the way it combines humour, imagination and beautifully crafted sculpture with ideas that feel deeply relevant today. It's full of warmth, curiosity and generosity, inviting us to see the natural world—and our place within it—with fresh eyes."

The title, 'A Joyful Parasite', asks us to reconsider how we value different forms of life. Inspired by the hierarchies humans often place on the natural world, Saelia imagines the perspective of a parasite—simply living the life it is meant to live. Rather than dividing the world into useful and harmful, welcome and unwelcome, the exhibition encourages us to think more generously about coexistence and the many ways living things support, depend upon and adapt to one another.

At the heart of the exhibition are three sculptural characters inspired by the butterfly’s life cycle: the caterpillar, the chrysalis and the butterfly. Together they represent different stages of transformation, offering a simple and universal metaphor for change. Visitors move through a landscape of hybrid figures that appear joyful, vulnerable and constantly evolving. Humour and tenderness sit alongside moments of unease, creating an exhibition that is both welcoming and thought-provoking.

Plants and flowers weave throughout the exhibition as symbols of identity, belonging and place. National flowers occupy positions of pride hanging from the ceiling, while overlooked plants and so-called weeds quietly flourish at the edges. Saelia is interested in how the same plant can be understood differently depending on where it grows: rhododendron ponticum is native to parts of Spain where it is now endangered, while in Britain it is widely established as an invasive species. These shifting perspectives ask us to reconsider how we define belonging and remind us that the meaning of a place—and of the life within it—is always changing.

Presented in North Devon, within the UNESCO Biosphere that stretches from the River Torridge to the surrounding coast and countryside, 'A Joyful Parasite' feels especially resonant. In a landscape shaped by the close relationship between natural systems and human activity, The Burton is a place where conversations about ecology and belonging feel especially immediate. At a time when these themes continue to shape public life, Saelia offers a hopeful response, celebrating resilience, coexistence and the possibility of flourishing in unexpected places.

Saelia Aparicio said: "Every living being just wants to live more and wants a better life. Communities aren't only a human thing—plants, animals and every living being want to thrive too. That's where the idea of 'A Joyful Parasite' comes from."

Rich with unexpected encounters, moments of wonder and playful discovery, 'A Joyful Parasite' invites visitors of all ages to look more closely at the living world and discover that transformation often begins with changing the way we see one another.

Installation View. 'Saelia Aparicio, A Joyful Parasite at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art ©️Saelia Aparicio -Photo Reece Straw(All rights Reserved)

‘Saelia Aparicio: A Joyful Parasite’ runs from 1 st August – 4th October 2026 at The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ. Free entry. For more details see www.theburton.org or get in touch at info@theburton.org. 

Opening Hours:Tuesday to Saturday 10am–5pm ] Sunday 11am–4pm

Free entry  

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Exhibition Credit/Artist Biography

The Burton wins the 2026 Hallett Independent Acquisitions Award at the London Original Print Fair

We are delighted to announce that The Burton at Bideford has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Hallett Independent Acquisitions Award at the London Original Print Fair.

The award has enabled us to acquire two remarkable etchings by celebrated artist Dame Paula Rego RA for The Burton’s permanent collection: Mary, Mary Quite Contrary I (1989) and Little Miss Muffet I (1989).

Paula Rego (1935–2022) was a pre-eminent British-Portuguese visual artist and fierce storyteller who used emotionally charged figurative art to subvert fairy tales, challenge social norms, and champion women's rights. Part of Rego’s Nursery Rhymes series, the works reimagine familiar childhood tales through the artist’s distinctive visual language. Their acquisition brings work by one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists to North Devon, making internationally significant art accessible to local audiences and enriching The Burton’s growing collection.

The works were selected by our Director Harriet Cooper, for purchase through RAW Editions a London-based gallery with expertise in post-war and contemporary editions.

Harriet Cooper said:

“We are thrilled to welcome these important works to The Burton’s collection, where they will support future exhibitions, learning programmes and community engagement. This purchase is part of our strategy to bring work by leading contemporary artists into conversation with the unique heritage of Northern Devon, reflecting on how our rich local identity connects to vital global conversations.”

RAW Editions shared:

“It was fantastic meeting Harriet Cooper and we are thrilled to be able to support their curatorial and educational programme through this acquisition. These have been works close to our heart as a young family and we can’t wait to follow their journey at The Burton as they become part of the local community and inspire new artists.”

The Hallett Independent Acquisitions Award is a purchase grant to enable a museum or gallery to acquire an original print or prints for their collection. The Award aims not only to enhance art collections across the country, but also to build relationships between museum curators and the art market. Hallett Independent, who generously fund the Award, are brokers specialising in fine art and heritage insurance, committed to supporting museums throughout the country.

The Burton’s permanent collection includes over 3,000 artworks and objects, covering a breadth of specialisms including fine art, ceramics, decorative art, photography and works on paper. Originally established through artist Hubert Coop RBA’s gift to the borough of Bideford, the collection has grown through major acquisitions and gifts over the past 75-years to represent works of local, national and international significance.

The acquisitions supported by Hallett Independent will be included in the two-year project Burton 2101: Collections for the Future supported by Art Fund, and be part of a forthcoming project exploring the trope of the vilified woman in relation to the history of The Bideford Witch Trials in 1682 which resulted in the last documented executions of women accused of witchcraft in England.

Little Miss Muffet I (1989), Paula Rego, Etching with aquatint,

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary I (1989), Paula Rego, Etching with aquatint, printed by Culford Press, via RAW Editions

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The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ. Free entry. For more details see www.theburton.org or get in touch at info@theburton.org.  

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Opening Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday 10am–5pm

Sunday 11am–4pm

Free entry

South West collectors bring their unusual collectables for unique display in Devon

The Burton at Bideford celebrates the act of collecting this summer in an exhibition which reveals the hidden objects and stories found in front rooms, home museums and storage spaces across the South West of England.

This year marks the 75^th anniversary of The Burton and its long history of caring for collections of art, heritage and curiosities. The act of collecting is almost universal – evident throughout human history from the Stone Age to the modern day – and collections can be found everywhere from the back rooms of private abodes to national museums.

 

Through an open call, The Burton invited members of the public to share their own personal stories of collecting - asking them what they collect and if they would be willing to show it off to the world. Almost 70 submissions were received from collectors of all ages based across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, covering a vast range of objects including skateboards, pottery, bottle openers, fine art, handbags, glass bottles, matchboxes, tools, musical instruments, trading cards, comics, shells and vintage toys.

 

Taking over The Burton’s galleries this summer, ‘What We Keep’ presents a selection of these collections in a joyful exhibition which tells the tales of how they were formed and the collectors who care for them. The accompanying events programme will include tours and talks which bring the exhibition to life and celebrate the hidden collector inside all of us.

 

Abi Obene, Curatorial Coordinator at The Burton and curator of ‘What We Keep’ says:

 

“What We Keep’ is a celebration of our shared impulse to collect and the personal worlds we make with the objects around us. What we choose to surround ourselves with is part of who we are – it’s our life experiences, beliefs, loves, fascinations and hobbies. It’s putting bits of ourselves on shelves, leaving fingerprints on what might only be precious to us, and squirreling ourselves away in attic spaces and cellars to cheer ourselves up on a rainy day. That’s what life and living is and what it’s all about: things, stuff and us.”

 

The Burton itself was originally established to house the personal collection of artist Hubert Coop RBA, and its holdings now contain many other collections put together by passionate individuals. This includes The Christine Halstead Collection of Studio Pottery, Arthur McTaggart Short’s collection of calling card cases and The RJ Lloyd Collection of North Devon Slipware.

The Collectors featured above are:

*Alan Edward Roberts and his collection of 80s hip hop memorabilia, photo by Carole Evans 2026.

*Fiona Balfour and her collection of rocking horses, photo by Carole Evans 2026.

*Kim Jones and her collection of tins containing mini collections, photo by Carole Evans 2026.

*Rachel Ward and her collection of handbags, photo by Carole Evans 2026.

What We Keep, images from the collection at The Burton at Bideford

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‘What We Keep: The Art of Collecting’ runs from 9the May – 19th July 2026 at The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ. Free entry. For more details see www.theburton.org or get in touch at info@theburton.org.  

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Opening Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday 10am–5pm

Sunday 11am–4pm

Free entry

The Burton at Bideford awarded a grant to transform public access to its ceramic collection

The Burton at Bideford has been awarded a grant of £86,500 from The DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund to help transform public access to one of the leading ceramic collections in the South West of England.

The funding is part of the £4 million contributed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Wolfson Foundation in 2025-27 to support museums and galleries across England to improve displays, protect collections and make exhibitions more accessible to visitors.

Due to open in Spring 2027, The Ceramic Futures project will see The Burton’s collection of over 1,000 ceramic works moved to a new bespoke gallery space on the ground floor of the building. The improved facilities will significantly increase public access to the collections, bringing important works out of storage to tell the story of Bideford’s ceramic heritage and future.

Bideford’s pottery heritage is central to the town’s identity, with North Devon known as one of England’s most important locations for slipware – a style recognised for its warm glazes and intricate sgraffito designs scratched into white slip over red clay.

As The Burton celebrates its 75^th birthday in 2026, Ceramic Futures is part of a series of projects that aim to reimagine how collections can be shared with and used by current and future communities in Torridge. It will create new accessible resources for schools and community groups, and include a space for contemporary commissions, exhibitions and acquisitions that connect The Burton’s historic collections to vital conversations today.

Warren Collum, Exhibitions and Collections Manager at The Burton at Bideford said:

“Receiving this funding is essential to enabling us to present the story of North Devon ceramics with the depth and clarity it deserves. Not only will it strengthen our ability to communicate the significance of The Burton’s collections and their place within a wider cultural and historical context. It also provides a valuable opportunity to bring important works out of storage and into public view, ensuring they can be properly seen, studied, and inspire the next generation.”

Harriet Cooper, Director at The Burton at Bideford said:

“This exciting gallery improvement is a catalyst for how we can transform our local community’s relationship to our collections, creating a new context to explore the relevance these objects have to life today. We aim to celebrate Bideford’s ceramic heritage while also looking to the future and our aspirations to support new acquisitions, ambitious partnerships and creative skills opportunities for young people in the town.”

The Burton’s ceramic collections include the RJ Lloyd Collection of North Devon slipware which comprises over 500 works spanning 300-years, and the Christine Halstead Collection of over 400 pieces of studio ware, providing an insightful introduction to the South West region’s ceramic heritage. Since 2020 an annual Artist in Residence programme has supported contemporary artists like Connor Colston, Florence Dwyer and Simon Bayliss to make new work in response to these collections.

If you would like to stay up to date about Burton 2101: Ceramic Futures please sign up to The Burton’s newsletter at www.theburton.org.   

North Devon Harvest Jug, Robert Fishley, 1837

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

(e) info@theburton.org   (t) 01237 471455 (w) www.theburton.org

 Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am–5pm - Sunday 11am–4pm

Free entry

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The Burton at Bideford acquires work by internationally-renowned artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA

The Burton at Bideford is delighted to announce the acquisition of Yinka Shonibare CBE RA’s Mayflower, All Flowers (2020) to its permanent collection.

The work – a large relief print with woodblock and fabric detail – was created to mark the 400^th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower ship to America, a pivotal moment in the histories of migration, colonisation, and transatlantic exchange.

Shonibare is one the UK’s leading contemporary artists, whose interdisciplinary practice incorporates painting, sculpture, prints, photography and film. Through examining race, class and the construction of cultural identity, his work comments on the tangled interrelationship between Africa and Europe, and their respective economic and political histories.

He was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 2004, and his first public art commission, Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle, was displayed on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square in 2010. In summer 2024 The Burton presented his solo exhibition ‘Yinka Shonibare CBE: Modern Spiritual’ which was attended by over 15,000 visitors.

The Burton’s permanent collection includes over 3,000 artworks and objects, covering a breadth of specialisms including fine art, ceramics, decorative art, photography and works on paper. Originally established through artist Hubert Coop RBA’s gift to the borough of Bideford, the collection has grown through major acquisitions and gifts over the past 75-years to represent works of local, national and international significance.

The acquisition of Mayflower, All Flowers marks an important step in The Burton’s strategy of bringing work by leading contemporary artists into conversation with the unique stories heritage and culture of Northern Devon. The work encourages conversation about migration, identity and global exchange in connection with Bideford’s maritime history.

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

“Yinka Shonibare CBE RA’s Mayflower, All Flowers is a significant acquisition to The Burton at Bideford’s collection and we look forward to sharing this work with our audiences through our 75^th anniversary year and beyond. This purchase is part of our strategy to bring work by leading contemporary artists into conversation with the unique heritage of Northern Devon, reflecting on how our rich local identity connects to vital global conversations.”

Mayflower, All Flowers is initially on display in ‘Hubert Coop and Friends: A Legacy of Art and Influence’, an exhibition tracing the development of The Burton’s permanent collection in 75 objects for 75 years. The work will be a key part of their two-year project Burton 2101: Collections for the Future supported by Art Fund, and the centrepiece of an exhibition in 2027 exploring Bideford’s ceramics and transatlantic trade.

Image Copyright 2026 Yinka Shonibare CBE. All Rights Reserved, DACS

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‘Hubert Coop and Friends: A Legacy of Art and Influence’ until 15 March 2026 at The Burton at Bideford, EX39 2QQ. Free entry.

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

Annual Schools Exhibition launch event at the Burton at Bideford

The Burton at Bideford Annual Schools Exhibition launches 2026 with a diverse range of artworks showcasing the talent, imagination and creativity of young people aged 4-18 from the local area. With no set theme, the exhibition is a glimpse into the inspirations and concerns of our next generation of artists. It is also a celebration of their teachers and the contribution of art to encouraging creativity and innovation across the curriculum. Submissions are accepted from schools and colleges across Torridge and neighbouring boroughs, and include artworks in a variety of media. An awards programme organised by The Arts Society North Devon spotlights outstanding entries in the exhibition and culminates in an awards ceremony. You are warmly invited to help celebrate the opening of the exhibition at the gallery on Friday 30th January, 4pm–6pm.  Speeches at 5pm, refreshments kindly provided by Asda.

Artwork from 'The Annual Schools Exhibition', 2023. ----------------------------------- Launch Event The Annual Schools Exhibition - Burton at Bideford Friday 30th January, 4pm – 6pm Exhibition dates: 30th January – 15th  March 2026 👀👀👀 The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford, Devon EX39 2QQ  Tel: 01237 471455 open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm  Entry to galleries is FREE

The Burton at Bideford awarded grant to reimagine its collections for the future:

The Burton at Bideford has been awarded £50,000 from Art Fund, the national charity of museums and galleries, to reimagine how its collections are used and shared over the next two-years.

The funding is part of a total of £1.3 million awarded to 29 museums and galleries through the latest round of Art Fund’s Reimagine programme, supporting innovative collections projects in museums and galleries across the UK.

 

Burton 2101: Collections for the Future will use the backdrop of The Burton’s 75^th birthday in 2026 to reimagine the role of its collections for future generations in Torridge. It will pilot projects with schools, community groups and in the public realm to find new ways to connect residents to the stories of their past, present and future.

 

Launched in 2020 in response to the pandemic, Reimagine was developed to address the most urgent challenges facing UK museums. This latest round focuses on collections – a cornerstone of Art Fund’s mission and one of the areas of museum practice with the greatest demand for funding.

 

The UK is home to some of the world’s most remarkable collections, yet the resources required to care for and interpret them are increasingly strained. Art Fund’s Museum Directors Survey in 2024 found that 56% of museums cite a lack of funding for collections as a major barrier to essential work such as digitisation, collections reviews and acquisitions.

 

Harriet Cooper, Director at The Burton at Bideford said:

“It has been a challenging few years for the museum sector and as The Burton at Bideford enters its 75^th year in 2026 we are excited to think about the role we can play in the next 75-years of culture in Torridge. Our rich collections are at the heart of this and this vital funding from Art Fund will help us to reimagine how they are used over the next two years. ‘Burton 2101: Collections for the Future’ will see us pilot expansive collections projects, consult more closely with our local community, learn from innovative organisations across the UK, and build a long-term strategy to support art and artists in North Devon to thrive.”

 

Jenny Waldman, Director at Art Fund, said:

“At the core of Art Fund’s purpose is supporting museums to develop, care for and share the collections that enrich people’s lives. I'm delighted we've been able to support The Burton at Bideford through our final round of Reimagine funding, enabling museums to explore their collections, connect with communities and ensure that works of art, objects and their stories are shared and preserved for future generations.”

 

The Burton at Bideford was originally established in 1951 to house the collection of artist Hubert Coop RBA, gifted to the town of Bideford. The permanent collection now holds a rich array of objects and artworks that vividly capture the history of Bideford and its surrounding area.

 

Highlights include work by artists including Gillian Ayres, Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA FRS, Aubrey Hunt, Bertram Prance and James Ravilious; alongside one of the leading ceramics collections in the South West and the archive of Mary Stella Edwards and Judith Ackland.

 

This funding has been made possible thanks to support from The Kirby Laing Foundation, Art Fund members and supporters of Art Fund's Expanding Horizons appeal.

 

If you would like to find out more about Burton 2101: Collections for the Future and how you can get involved, please sign up to The Burton’s newsletter at www.theburton.org or get in touch at info@theburton.org.   

 

 Bowl from The Christine Halstead Collection. Photo copyright (All Rights Reserved)

National Tree Week

November marks the start of the annual tree planting season when thousands of trees and hedgerows are planted by nature conservationists and tree-lovers.

Today let's focus on Bideford's iconic Wonky Conker which still stands tall with a little helping hand. It is perfectly positioned on Kinglsey Road just beyond the Burton Art Gallery and Museum by the entrance to Victoria Park beside the Charles Kingsley Statue on Bideford Quay.

The Wonky Conker ‘The Helping Hand’, by local artist and wood carver John Butler , was commissioned by Torridge District Council some 20 years ago.  The metal prop is covered to look like a log wrist, with oak used to carve the hand & fingers. John Butler was also the curator at Bideford's Burton Art Gallery for 30 years and now continues his art from Bideford Pannier Market.

Photos of the Wonky Conker'Helping Hand' copyright Pat Adams North Devon Focus

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National Tree Week runs from 22nd November – 30th November

"National Tree Week, brought to you by The Tree Council and partners, brings together the conservation sector, volunteers and tree-lovers to mark the start of the annual tree planting season by planting thousands of trees and hedgerows and celebrating these magnificent mainstays of our landscapes." (tree council.org.uk)

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Read all about >NORTH DEVON FOCUS ON BIDEFORD

 

 

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Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry at The Burton at Bideford

The Burton at Bideford is proud to present the Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition ‘Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry’. The exhibition will bring together 26 lithographic prints created to illustrate the writings of the celebrated French surrealist poet Robert Desnos.

 

One of the 20th century’s most influential and recognisable artists, Joan Miró’s highly individual style placed him at the forefront of Surrealism and Dadaism. Primarily known as a painter and sculptor, Miró was also a celebrated and dynamic printmaker. Within this practice the artist produced a remarkable and extensive output of book illustrations, often created for artists, writers and poets associated with the Surrealist movement.

 

The first prints Miró ever made were illustrations for a book of poems, and literary sources would prove a constant inspiration for the artist. Miró never considered his involvement in these books to be strictly that of an illustrator. He worked from the free expression of what the text suggested to him and embraced the process of finding the image through experiment and accident.

 

The exhibition will shine light on Miró’s prints and how they are not only an excellent example of the richness and variety of his print production, but also his famous experimentation with vivid colours and abstract shapes.

 

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

 

“The Burton is excited to present the work of internationally celebrated artist Joan Miró this autumn. The South West of England is home to a thriving creative community working in print, and this exhibition showcases Miró’s vibrant and playful approach to the artform. Our collaboration with Hayward Gallery Touring on this project recognises The Burton’s ongoing role in bringing world-class art to North Devon, inspiring audiences young and old.”

 

Joan Miró, Untitled, 1974 © Successió Miró / ADAGP, Paris and DACS London 2025. (All Rights Reservied).

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‘Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry’ runs from 22nd November 2025 – 18th January 2026 at The Burton at Bideford, Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ. Free entry. For more details see www.theburton.org

Westward Ho! and Bideford Art Society Annual Open Exhibition

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

Founded in 1922, WHOBIDARTS' annual exhibition has been held at The Burton since 1954 and it remains the Society's most important event and showpiece, featuring work in a range of media.

The annual show gives artists from across the South West the opportunity to see their work exhibited at The Burton. The exhibition is open to members and associates of the Society as well as non-members, with over 300 artworks on display and available to purchase.

Come along to experience works by some of the top artistic talents in the region, with the opportunity to take home your favourite.

Image Credit: Jenny Smy, Headland II. Winner of the Ken Doughty Prize 2024. 

Westward Ho! and Bideford Art Society

Annual Open Exhibition

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Exhibition Dates

Saturday 27th September – Sunday 2nd November 2025

*Free entry*

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For more details about WHOBIDARTS see their website at whobidarts.co.uk 

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.

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