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

Barnstaple Reflections. 'This is Me!' Documentary Photography Open 2026 Exhibition

The Documentary Photography Open 2026 is an exhibition of photographs sent in by the public in response to the theme, This Is Me.  The theme asked the public to explore who they are, as people living in North Devon today.  In a world that is constantly changing, where people are constantly moving, the public was invited to reflect on what makes them unique.

To complement the Open, a selection of historic portraits by photographer, James Ravilious, will also be on display. The warmth and affection that Ravilious felt for his subjects shines out, each bringing to life the unique character and personality of each individual.

 

In addition, the exhibition will include photographs taken by GCSE students from Pilton Community College as part of a portrait project run by local photographer, Carole Evans and funded by the Richard and Siobhan Coward Foundation Fund. The ‘Selfies’ to Self-Aware Portrait Project encouraged students to explore what makes a good portrait, how to use low key and natural lighting and consider the question ‘what one word captures what is it to be a young adult in 2025’ in their portraiture.

Bill Cooke in his kitchen, Colehouse, May 1988, James Ravilious © Beaford Arts (All Rights Reserved)

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This is Me! Documentary Photography Open 2026

Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

25th April – 20th June 2026

 

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

Unique Exmoor project exhibition at the Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon

High up on Exmoor’s dramatic sea cliffs sits Kipscombe, an 880 acre landscape with a rich history over thousands of years.  

 

As Kipscombe enters a new chapter, cared for by the National Trust, this exhibition looks at this special place and the people who have helped bring it back to life for nature and community. Featuring photos, artwork, stories and footage for a lively and truly personal take on this unique Exmoor project.

There will be a launch event to celebrate the opening on the exhibition on Friday 23rd January, 5-7pm. All are welcome to join us and special guests for nibbles and a glass of wine or two!

Matilda planting trees. Photo copyright Bob Walters (All Rights Reserved) 

National Trust - A Living Landscape: New Beginnings at Kipscombe

24th January – 14th March 2026

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Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

The Square, Barnstaple EX32 8LN
01271 388784 | barnstaplemuseum.org.uk
Entrance is always free.

Burton Art Gallery launches Bideford Photomonth 3rd May – 2nd June

Bideford Photomonth is a celebration of photography and rural life. The Burton Art Gallery in Bideford, North Devon will host a photography exhibition of two photographers who cross generations. Internationally renowned photographer Martin Parr will be showing alongside Devon based photographer Robert Darch. Together, they will share their view of rural life; a contrast to the James Ravilious prints in the Burton’s own collection which will also be on display.

Together, they will share their view of rural life; a contrast to the James Ravilious prints in the Burton’s own collection which will also be on display.

To coincide with these shows, we have created Bideford Photomonth during May.Visible Bideford, a series of portraits by Anita Corbin exhibited in shop windows, will lead visitors from the Burton up to Bideford Pannier Market, where there will be an exhibition of Gideon Mendel’s work When I’m 40. This work, commissioned by Beaford in 2023, depicts local children aged 9 or 10 years old wondering about what their favourite place will look like in 40 years time, raising questions about the climate and our local environment. Visible Bideford was made by Anita Corbin in October 2022; the photographs are a celebration of friendship and community, depicting both locals and visitors to our Little White Town.

Throughout the month of May, the Burton will host a number of workshops, talks and events to accompany these exhibitions. Our Art Box will be turned into a Camera Obscura by local artist Stephen Raff, and look out for workshops run by Foto-Now in the town and surrounding area.

We Need You!

North Devon is an area of outstanding natural beauty, one of many on this island we call home. To celebrate the beauty of the British countryside, we want to collect your photographs. Please submit any photographs you have through Instagram using the hashtag #ruralconnections. Each day through May we will show a selection of these on a screen in the gallery.

Photo credit Robert Darch. (All Rights Reserved)

Young Bulls Eating Thistle Heads, July 1981. Photo credit Martin Parr (All Rights Reserved)

 When I’m 40. Photo credits Gideon Mendel

Visible Bideford. Photo credit Anita Corben

(All Rights Reserved)

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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