This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8074473.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Capturing a world fading from view Capturing a world fading from view
(about 4 hours later)
Ravilious was inspired to take up photography after seeing the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson by Alex Bushill South West of England correspondent Ravilious was inspired to take up photography after seeing the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson By Alex Bushill South West of England correspondent
For more than 20 years, James Ravilious photographed farming communities in north Devon, glimpsing a world in steady decline.For more than 20 years, James Ravilious photographed farming communities in north Devon, glimpsing a world in steady decline.
Hidden amongst the rolling hills of Dartmoor is an overlooked, forgotten way of life. The scene is undoubtedly rustic and rural, but for those that work this land it is far from green and pleasant.Hidden amongst the rolling hills of Dartmoor is an overlooked, forgotten way of life. The scene is undoubtedly rustic and rural, but for those that work this land it is far from green and pleasant.
For Ravilious' widow, Robin, a new exhibition of his work, ten years after the photographer's death, chronicles that change.For Ravilious' widow, Robin, a new exhibition of his work, ten years after the photographer's death, chronicles that change.
"I think what shines through is his humanity, he was such a people person. He wanted to make an honest record of how tough people's lives were"."I think what shines through is his humanity, he was such a people person. He wanted to make an honest record of how tough people's lives were".
"And certainly, James' pictures will spark a lot of nostalgic memories for many people in this area.""And certainly, James' pictures will spark a lot of nostalgic memories for many people in this area."
Character studyCharacter study
Ravilious died from lymphoma at the age of just 60 in 1999. Since then, his work has become increasingly well-known and respected.Ravilious died from lymphoma at the age of just 60 in 1999. Since then, his work has become increasingly well-known and respected.
What's unique about his work is that it is not twee and it isn't sentimental. He captured an overlooked way of life, a sense of place and, of course, the landscape.What's unique about his work is that it is not twee and it isn't sentimental. He captured an overlooked way of life, a sense of place and, of course, the landscape.
Ravilious' work chronicled rural communities in the Dartmoor, DevonRavilious' work chronicled rural communities in the Dartmoor, Devon
Much of his work is a character study, returning to the same cast of farmers again and again. For art critics like Jem Southam, professor of photography at the University of Plymouth, it is this quality that sets him apart.Much of his work is a character study, returning to the same cast of farmers again and again. For art critics like Jem Southam, professor of photography at the University of Plymouth, it is this quality that sets him apart.
"James had this absolutely intense and very particular relationship with the people in the place that he photographed," says Mr Southam."James had this absolutely intense and very particular relationship with the people in the place that he photographed," says Mr Southam.
"And this is what is so wonderful about the camera, somehow or other, that really comes through.""And this is what is so wonderful about the camera, somehow or other, that really comes through."
I thought I'd try and track down some of the people he photographed.I thought I'd try and track down some of the people he photographed.
Where better to start than by losing myself amongst Devon's footpaths and bridle ways. The same country that James Ravilious spent the last years of his life wandering through, camera in hand, waiting for that fleeting moment.Where better to start than by losing myself amongst Devon's footpaths and bridle ways. The same country that James Ravilious spent the last years of his life wandering through, camera in hand, waiting for that fleeting moment.
A classically-trained painter, James Ravilious moved to Devon after he failed in his chosen career.A classically-trained painter, James Ravilious moved to Devon after he failed in his chosen career.
In 1969 an exhibition by the great French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson opened his eyes to photography.In 1969 an exhibition by the great French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson opened his eyes to photography.
ImmortalisedImmortalised
A year later, after he had moved to the South West of England, he struck up a working relationship with the Beaford Photographic Archive. His task: to record life in this still traditional and unspoilt rural area.A year later, after he had moved to the South West of England, he struck up a working relationship with the Beaford Photographic Archive. His task: to record life in this still traditional and unspoilt rural area.
Over the course of the next 17 years he took over 80,000 negatives and copied some 5,000 early photographs of the same subject.Over the course of the next 17 years he took over 80,000 negatives and copied some 5,000 early photographs of the same subject.
Many of his subjects have now passed away - men like Archie Parkhouse and Ivor Brock, who have nonetheless been immortalised on celluloid.Many of his subjects have now passed away - men like Archie Parkhouse and Ivor Brock, who have nonetheless been immortalised on celluloid.
They were caught on camera struggling through the snow to care for their flock, or enjoying a brief moment of rest with a puff on a pipe.They were caught on camera struggling through the snow to care for their flock, or enjoying a brief moment of rest with a puff on a pipe.
I had pinned my hopes on retracing Peter Jones.I had pinned my hopes on retracing Peter Jones.
Ravilious had a "particular relationship with the people in the place"Ravilious had a "particular relationship with the people in the place"
I'd seen him photographed ripping cabbages from the soil. The image shows a burly man, strong from work. But was he still alive? And was he still here in Devon?I'd seen him photographed ripping cabbages from the soil. The image shows a burly man, strong from work. But was he still alive? And was he still here in Devon?
Of course he was. I found him where James Ravilious left him, 30 years ago... working on his farm. Behind his beaming and toothless grin, you could tell his face, his life had been shaped by the land he lived from.Of course he was. I found him where James Ravilious left him, 30 years ago... working on his farm. Behind his beaming and toothless grin, you could tell his face, his life had been shaped by the land he lived from.
Mr Jones told me James Ravilious understood that, and for that, if nothing else, he'd never forget him: "He seemed to creep up on you somehow. You didn't know he was coming until he spoke to you."Mr Jones told me James Ravilious understood that, and for that, if nothing else, he'd never forget him: "He seemed to creep up on you somehow. You didn't know he was coming until he spoke to you."
"It is a beautiful way of life, but there isn't the money in it nowadays, that's the problem with it.""It is a beautiful way of life, but there isn't the money in it nowadays, that's the problem with it."
I asked him if these photographs were a last testament? He agreed, nodding his head in resignation.I asked him if these photographs were a last testament? He agreed, nodding his head in resignation.
But as I said goodbye and left Peter, it was clear that even if his world does not last, James Ravilious' photographic legacy will.But as I said goodbye and left Peter, it was clear that even if his world does not last, James Ravilious' photographic legacy will.
An English Eye exhibition is showing at the Burton Art Gallery in Bideford until 19 June.An English Eye exhibition is showing at the Burton Art Gallery in Bideford until 19 June.