Exhibition highlights rural North Devon life at Thelma Hulbert Gallery

A major new exhibition will highlight the work of photographer James Ravilious, who chronicled life in the North Devon countryside.

The event will showcase the work of James Ravilious, renowned photographer of rural life and one of Devon’s best-loved artists.

Called An English Eye, it will feature key photographic works chosen from a large retrospective show originally mounted for Ravilious by the Royal Photographic Society.

Through photographing the landscapes, seasons, and people of a disappearing rural England, Ravilious, son of famous artist Eric Ravilious, became known as an intimate and sympathetic chronicler of rural Devon.

With a painter's eye for composition, Ravilious recorded over 80,000 compelling, tender photographs of the hardships and pleasures of farming communities in rural North Devon.

He was drawn to photography by the great ‘decisive moment’ photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, who sought to capture the perfect moment where time, subject, and action collide.

Ravilious, unlike Bresson, knew his subjects; they were his friends and his community.

The predominantly black-and-white photographs reveal the inner narratives of his subjects.

In the cow shed, farm kitchen, village hall, school, streets, and meadows, Ravilious documented a passing age while re-evaluating pastoral myths.

The rich tapestries of rural private and social life were his canvas.

The writer Alan Bennett famously commented: “The warp and weft of the everyday. Ravilious was a compassionate witness of harsh country life.”

This exhibition, at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton, East Devon, is on loan from the permanent collection of The Burton at Bideford.

Warren Collum, exhibitions and collections manager of the Burton at Bideford said: “It gives me great pleasure that An English Eye by James Ravilious is being shown at Thelma Hulbert Gallery.

“His photographs, rich in warmth and authenticity, beautifully capture the essence of rural Devon, preserving its people and landscapes for generations to come.”

Robin Ravilious, wife of James Ravilious, will give a talk on the opening day.

She said: “James took most of his photographs in my much-loved homeland, central North Devon. It is always a pleasure to share a little personal background to his images with people who love his work.”

To co-ordinate with the exhibition, there will be a display of work in the Upper Gallery by Honiton Camera Club to celebrate their 60th anniversary.

Other co-ordinating events include the talk by Robin Ravilious (wife of James), a photographic walk on Dartmoor in the footsteps of Ravilious with photographer Nicky Thompson, and the Thelma Hulbert Gallery will host a dark room workshop at the gallery.

James Ravilious: An English Eye runs from May 10 to June 28. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Free, donations welcome.

Honiton Camera Club 60th anniversary exhibition — Upper Gallery at THG: May 10 to June 28.

A Chronicle of Rural Life — talk by Robin Ravilious, wife of James Ravilious: May 10, 2pm. £5.