New exhibition featuring the work of photography James Ravilious, photographer of rural life.

Ravilious (1939-1999) is well known for his black and white photography of rural life and landscape from the 1970's to 1990's - mainly taken in the west of England. He is best known for his seventeen year project for the Beaford Photographic Archive.

James Ravilious was born in Eastbourne, the son of war artist Eric Ravilious. He studied art at St Martin's School of Art, London, then taught painting and drawing in London. He married Robin Ravilious in 1970, and in 1972 they moved to a cottage in Devon. 

In the early seventies, James took up photography, inspired by the work of the French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson. John Lane, Director of Beaford Arts Centre, invited him to contribute work to the newly set up Beaford Archive, intended as a photographic record of life in a largely unspoilt, but vulnerable, country area. What started as a short-term project grew into a seventeen year obsession. James took over 80,000 black and white images of all aspects of local life: landscape, farming, everyday life in the local towns and villages, and their special occasions, making it probably the most intensive record of any rural area in England.

Though never posed, James's pictures are composed with the eye of an artist, and they capture subtle qualities of light - the result of years of experiment with pre-war Leica cameras and uncoated lenses. Above all, they are warmed by his affection and admiration for the people whose lives he recorded. His pictures reveal real life as it was being lived in late 20th century rural England when country traditions handed down for hundreds, if not thousands, of years were still part of everyday existence.

James's work has been exhibited in England, France and America; and exists in several collections. He published a number of books of his photographs, and contributed to many others. In 1997 he was given Honorary Membership of the Royal Photographic Society in recognition of his contribution to photography. 

 Image credits:

Alf Pugsley moving a shed in case of flood, Langham, Dolton, Devon, 1978. Photograph by James Ravilious © Beaford Arts digitally scanned from a Beaford Archive negative

Archie Parkhouse reminiscing in a wood, Addisford, Dolton, Devon, 1974. Photograph by James Ravilious © Beaford Arts digitally scanned from a Beaford Archive negative