Resurgence – the magazine and charity that put North Devon on the international stage
Exhibition at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is showcasing 60 years of pioneering charity The Resurgence Trust and Resurgence magazine
Sixty years ago a ground-breaking magazine was founded in Hartland that would become known as the artistic and spiritual voice of the green movement.
Resurgence continues to this day and has since grown into an educational charity, The Resurgence Trust, which continues to raise awareness of protecting the environment and inspiring new generations.
To mark the 60th anniversary, an exhibition is now running at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon called The Art of Resurgence: Celebrating 60 Years of Resurgence.
It runs until July 18 and explores the magazine’s history alongside the internationally-recognised artists, writers and visionaries who have shaped its distinctive voice and visual identity.
This includes a dedicated display of magazine cover artwork from its archive, dating back to 1966.
Visitors will also be able to see artwork by artists who have featured in the publication over the decades, including early works by acclaimed illustrators Axel Scheffler and Jackie Morris.
Alongside this, the exhibition showcases contemporary craft, with pieces by local ceramicist Sandy Brown and founder of the global Craftivist Collective, Sarah P. Corbett.
As well as visual art, the exhibition highlights the visionaries featured in Resurgence and the wide range of initiatives that have grown out of the publication.
These include Schumacher College in South Devon, The Schumacher Society, Green Books and The Small School at Hartland, as well as The Resurgence Trust itself.
Based at The Resurgence Centre in Hartland, the hosts an internationally-recognised programme of events that take place both locally and online.
The exhibition is hosted in the museum’s Community Gallery, a space dedicated to the celebration of local people, places and organisations.
A programme of ticketed events will also include a talk by Satish Kumar, world renowned author, international speaker and founder of The Resurgence Trust on Friday, June 5 from 6.30 to 8pm. Tickets are available via the museum’s website.
Satish Kumar said: “Resurgence has been flying the flag of ecological, spiritual and artistic excellence from North Devon for more than 45 years.
“Resurgence is delighted to co-curate this exhibition with The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Resurgence.
“It is my hope this exhibition will help to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and deepening our connection with nature.”
Resurgence was founded in 1966 by John Papworth and quickly grew beyond its Cold War peace-inspired agenda to cover pollution, intensive farming and food production and various ethical and political issues facing the country. Satish Kumar was editor from 1973 until 2016.
The magazine continues to this day, merging with The Ecologist in 2012.
Alison Mills, director of the museum, added: “It’s an honour to host this exhibition, which brings together the ideas and artworks that have helped shape a movement that feels more vital today than ever before.
“We’re delighted to share the inspiring story of Resurgence with our visitors - from our local community to those travelling from further afield - and to celebrate the enduring impact of something that began here on home soil.”
Tickets for the talk by Satish Kumar and other events are available from https://barnstaplemuseum.org.uk