The North Devon Community Mural in the Plough Arts Centre auditorium was painted by Ken Sprague who lived and worked in North Devon 1971 - 2004. It is a celebration of the people, their history and culture.
Ken Sprague wrote the following about the mural:
Culture is the whole picture, the whole people, not just the end product of a painting or a theatre performance. The great tapestries exist because of the farmers as well as the weavers. The farmers bred sheep for quality wool the weavers used the wool to create the finished tapestry. Turner's paintings, made when he visited Bideford, may well contain brown umber paint, dug by Combe Martin miners. When it rains, the river turns brown as the umber is still leached from the soil. Even the land is part of our culture.
This is basically the theme of the North Devon Community mural painting. The audience sits within their own dramas until the theatre lights dim and traditional drama, poetry reading or folk music are presented before them on the stage. Starting at the left hand wall of the mural, we see Combe Martin's hunting of the Earl of Tyrone, martyred for his religion; next to it, Pilton's Green Man celebrates life and love.
Barnstaple Fair, its dignity and its fun, comes next, watched over by John Gay, born in Joy Street, Barnstaple, writer of the Beggars' Opera. Bideford's regatta leads us to the back wall and to Torrington's Civil War re-enactments, their annual bonfires and to the wonderful May Fair (with a topical swipe at May Day Westminster clowns). Chittlehampton's St. Urith procession comes next, leading in turn to the Beaford Revel Mayor in his wheelbarrow carriage. The Dolton and Dowland Festival and the mummers' play are next and finally Hatherleigh's remarkable and wild, early morning tar barrel run. Each segment of the painting has architectural references such as the Pack O'Cards pub in Combe Martin or the old art school in Bideford which show us the town or village depicted in each celebration. The dominant use of red is to harmonise with the deep red of the theatre seating. The Community Mural is mine, yours and ours. Please share it with your family and friends.
Ken Sprague, Holwell, April 22 1997
For more information about Ken Sprague, his work and life, contact the Ken Sprague Fund 11 Dorset Road, Ealing, London W5 4HU or go to our website at
www.kenspraguefund.org