Saturday, September 06, 2008

RICHARD JEFFERIES “SPIRIT COUNTRY”

RICHARD JEFFERIES “SPIRIT COUNTRY”

An illustrated lecture by Roger Vlitos, photographer.

Liddington Village Hall, Saturday 11th October 2008: 2.30pm



Richard Jefferies (1848-1887) called the landscape around his home at Coate to the Downs “spirit country” because of its timeless and inspirational qualities. The lecture will show how writers such as Richard Jefferies, Thomas Hardy and Robert Byron; artists like John Piper, Paul Nash, Eric Ravillious and David Inshaw; photographers like Bill Brandt, Charlie Waite and Fay Godwin, all found inspiration in their local landscapes.

Roger Vlitos, born in the USA, has been an editorial and travel photographer for the past 25 years. He is also a published author whose work has appeared in magazines and books worldwide. Past photographic work has included Arts Council posters, a series of landscapes for the National Trust, an exhibition and publication on Welsh Legends that won Design Council awards, plus assignments for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, as well as The British Museum and Natural History Museum in London. He currently lectures on photography at Bath University and lives in Avebury.

Roger’s father was with a trainload of Allied servicemen delayed in Swindon station on their way to prepare for the D-day invasion. He was only 18 at the time and he met an elderly Swindon couple who took him under their wing that day. They drove him to see the Downs and gave him The Story of my Heart to pass the time. Roger's father read it and scribbled words like ‘wonderful’ in the margins. He kept the book for many years until he gave it to Roger. That book by Richard Jefferies, and the inspirational landscape of Wiltshire, drew Roger to work here as a photographer.

For more information contact The Richard Jefferies Society on 01793 783040
Entrance free