A Photographic Friendship: James Ravilious and Chris Chapman’

The Burton at Bideford presents ‘A Photographic Friendship: James Ravilious and Chris Chapman’, an exhibition celebrating the remarkable artistic partnership and shared vision of two of Devon's most significant documentary photographers.

Presented as part of The Burton's 75th anniversary programme, ‘A Photographic Friendship’ reflects the museum's enduring commitment to celebrating the art, history and communities of North Devon. Developed from the acclaimed publication of the same name, the exhibition brings together a selection of works that reveal how both men documented the people, landscapes, traditions and everyday life of rural Devon over the past fifty years.

Through 15 carefully curated photographic pairings selected by Chris Chapman, the exhibition sheds new light on the creative dialogue between the two photographers, revealing the shared themes, perspectives and quiet observations that unite their work. The images offer a rich portrait of rural life, moving beyond picturesque landscapes to capture the realities of agriculture across the changing seasons. Intimate domestic moments sit alongside scenes of working farms, village shows, weddings and local traditions, while striking portraits celebrate the individuality and character of the people who shaped these communities.

Chris Chapman (born 1952) has spent more than five decades documenting the landscapes and communities of Dartmoor and the South West. After studying at Torquay School of Art and Newport College of Art under Magnum photographer David Hurn, he settled in Throwleigh in 1976, where he continues to live and work. His photographs are held in major public collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Arts Council Collection and the International Center of Photography in New York.

James Ravilious (1939–1999) moved to Devon in 1972 and became one of Britain's most celebrated documentary photographers through his evocative record of rural life in North Devon. In 2021, The Burton acquired 135 prints from ‘An English Eye’, the landmark retrospective of his work, establishing an important collection that continues to inspire new research and interpretation.

Through images that are both intimate and timeless, ‘A Photographic Friendship’ explores the unique dialogue between two friends whose work was collaborative rather than competitive, united by a deep respect for their subjects and an extraordinary ability to find beauty in the ordinary. Together, their photographs create a powerful visual archive of rural Devon, preserving its people, traditions and changing landscapes with honesty, empathy and quiet affection.

As The Burton celebrates 75 years of collecting, preserving and sharing the stories of North Devon, ‘A Photographic Friendship’ demonstrates the enduring power of photography to connect people with place, inviting audiences to discover familiar landscapes through fresh eyes while reflecting on the communities and heritage that continue to shape the region today.

Thatching the Lower Merripit Roundhouse, Dartmoor. Photo ©️Chris Chapman ( All Rights Reserved)

‘A Photographic Friendship: James Ravilious and Chris Chapman’ runs from 1st 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.  

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 Artist biographies

This Is Me: New photography exhibition celebrates the people of North Devon

The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon’s annual Documentary Photography Open exhibition opens this April featuring works submitted by members of the public in response to the theme, ‘This Is Me’.

The exhibition provides a fascinating insight into who the people of North Devon are today. Alongside contemporary photographs, the museum will display a collection of historic portraits by acclaimed photographer and documenter of North Devon life, James Ravilious.

The museum’s long-standing annual Documentary Photography Open is open to both amateur and professional photographers. This year’s open introduced a dedicated category for 14-18 year olds for the first time, aiming to capture the voices and perspectives of younger people in North Devon.

The exhibition also features photographs taken by GCSE students from Pilton Community College. These images were created as part of a ‘Selfies to Self-Aware Portrait Project', facilitated by a local artist and funded by the Richard and Siobhan Coward Foundation Fund.

Alison Mills, Director of the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, said: “Our annual Documentary Photography Open is an exhibition truly shaped by local people and a highlight of our year! This year’s theme, This Is Me, asked people to explore their own identity and place in a fast-moving world – it asked them to share their own personal story through the medium of photography.

“Museums are storehouses for stories past and present, and part of our mission is to tell as many of those stories as possible. We also welcome the opportunity to share photographs by James Ravilious from our collection. They capture the spirit of our region from a not-so-distant past and never fail to move and delight.”

'This is Me'. Prom dresses are useless if you only ever go to muddy fields. Photo © Nell Savage (All Rights Reserved)

The Documentary Photography Open exhibition opened on the 25th April and runs until 20th June 2026.

The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm. Entrance is free.

Website link - This is Me! Documentary Photography Open 2026 – Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

 

01271 388784 | barnstaplemuseum.org.uk

The Square, Barnstaple EX32 8LN