Chris Chapman
Dartmoor National Park
Local hero for:
Documenting the beauty of Dartmoor in photos and on film
More info:
www.chrischapmanphotography.com
In 2008 Chris received an award from the Dartmoor Society for his 'outstanding documentary of people and place'
Starting out
Born in Wigan, Lancashire in 1952, Chris began his photographic career by enrolling at Newport College of Art in South Wales where he studied under Magnum photographer David Hurn.
Chris moved to Dartmoor in 1975, then aged 23, and has since documented all aspects of Dartmoor life in his photos and, more recently, in his film Wild River, Cold Stone.
Widely exhibited
Chris has a large archive of images showing the character and culture of the area and his photography has been exhibited at venues including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the International Center of Photography in New York.
Chris’ publications include:
- Wild Goose And Riddon. The Dartmoor Photographs Of Chris Chapman (published by Halsgrove in 2000)
- Silence At Ramscliffe. Foot And Mouth In Devon (with West country poet James Crowden, published by Bardwell Press, 2005).
Hound Tor is a typically evocative photograph of Dartmoor by Chris Chapman
Foray into film
In 2007 Chris and film maker Kate King set up The Dartmoor Film Project to produce an independent film about Dartmoor. It took them two years to make their film, Wild River, Cold Stone, which tells the story of the National Park through the voices of its people, with contributions from poets and musicians, geologists and archaeologists.
The film premiered in July 2009 and was funded by bodies including the Duchy of Cornwall, Devon County Council and the Dartmoor National Park Authority.
