Ravilious Talk with Chris Chapman

Two Photographers in Devon: James Ravilious and Chris Chapman. An illustrated talk by photographer, Chris Chapman, discussing his friendship with James Ravilious and their working practice.

James Ravilious, the internationally renowned photographer, spent over 17 years recording in intimate and affectionate detail rural North Devon, its people, their work, and their everyday lives. Comprising more than 80,000 black and white images, his Beaford Archive work has become what the Royal Photographic Society called ‘a unique body of work, unparalleled at least in this country for its scale and quality‘.

Chris Chapman began his photographic career at Newport College of Art where he was invited to join the Documentary Photography Course run by the Magnum photographer, David Hurn. In 1975 he moved to Dartmoor, since when he has documented aspects of Dartmoor life. His photographs reflect traditional skills inherent in the indigenous population and emphasise the accumulation of knowledge associated with age and customs. He has a large archive depicting the culture and character of the region. His photography has been widely recognised and is represented in both public and private collections, including those of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, Arts Council England and the International Center of Photography in New York. His work has been published under various titles.

James Ravilious © Chris Chapman
Chris Chapman © James Ravilious