Milly Brown and Mark Jessett

FIFTEEN CYCLES OF THE SUN: A RETROSPECTIVE A major retrospective celebrating one and a half decades of sonic archaeology, esoteric publishing, and the art of the uncanny — presented in partnership with the Museum of British Folklore and Field System. Fifteen Cycles of the Sun: A Retrospective, an exhibition celebrating fifteen years of one of Britain’s most singular and quietly radical cultural enterprises. Opening in June, the exhibition will occupy the Field System gallery space, offering the most comprehensive survey of Folklore Tapes’ work ever assembled. Since its founding in 2010, Folklore Tapes has occupied a space entirely its own — part archive, part art collective, part magical act. Born from a fascination with Britain’s layered landscape of custom, legend, and living memory, the project has produced an extraordinary body of work: handcrafted cassette releases and vinyl albums, artist publications, field recordings, visual art, film, and ritual performance, all united by a commitment to encountering the old, the strange, and the persistently overlooked. Fifteen Cycles of the Sun, draws together the full arc of this remarkable project: original tape artwork and packaging, archival photography, specially made musical instruments, maps, artist films, and a significant selection of objects gathered or commissioned over the course of the label’s life. Visitors will be invited to trace the evolution of Folklore Tapes from its earliest releases — limited editions that circulated quietly among devotees of hauntology, psychogeography, and experimental music — through to its most ambitious collaborative and geographical projects, which have taken the collective deep into fenland, moorland, coastline, and urban edge. Field System, in collaboration with the Museum of British Folklore, itself a custodian of the material and intangible heritage of British folk life, have put together the exhibition along with David Chatton Barker, founder of Folklore Tapes. Exhibition runs from June 2nd to June 21st 2026 at Field System, East Street, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7AH @folklore_tapes @field.system #folkloretapes #fieldsystem

On May 1st we are galloping to @field.system for an exhibition of dreams. There will be new work / dreams from Lally MacBeth, Penny MacBeth and Matthew Shaw. I’ve always believed in dreaming and for years have been explored how dreams can feed into my visual art practice in strange and wonderful ways. Many years ago, Matthew met a man who told him he had dreamed another’s dream at the top of Silbury Hill. Dreams roam the ancient landscape, they pour from the earth and interweave with the stones. Penny, Lally and Matthew set out to explore ways of tapping into other realms and ways of being. Travelling to the centre of the ancient landscape and examining its portals from miz mazes in Winchester to holed stones in Cornwall. Along the way they discovered strange characters and creatures. These ancient landscapes and beings have inspired a series of mixed media works including collages, paintings, music, costumes and photography that come together to form a dreamscape of someone else’s making. Perhaps it is yours? Perhaps it is the person standing behind you? Perhaps it’s from the future? Or the very ancient past. There is no way of knowing. Lally MacBeth, Matthew Shaw and Penny MacBeth are artists working in Cornwall. Penny makes music and costumes for the progressive morris side The WAD. Lally and Matthew co-founded Stone Club, a club for stone enthusiasts. Private view 5pm on May 1st, join us for high jinks and an evening of music from Craven and a film from @the.stone.club (you can nab tickets for that bit via Field System!)

KIT is now open….well it has been all day, but we have been too busy to post! This exhibition is a celebration of contemporary clothing used for ritual, resistance and reclamation.🪧 The exhibition includes selected items from the costume or ‘Kit’ archive of @boss.morris alongside work by a diverse range of invited artists: @adamjones.studio , @angelcakepie2 @ashleigh_fisk @desdemonab , @edith__morris , @hermotherthemountain , @josettebritton , @josiewickes11 , @lady.kitt1 , @leoniefreemanphoto , @libby.bove.arts , @lilycheethamartist , @lucy_j_wright , @man.in.the.woods , @mayqueencrafts , @penny_macbeth , @rabbit.baby.2 and @theoclinkard ✨✨✨ Don’t forget to celebrate Autumn Equinox with us on Saturday 20th September 🌚🌞 🌓1-2pm workshop with @boss.morris (tickets in bio) 🌓4pm blessing ritual with @boss.morris at the gallery followed by a dance out with @boss.morris and @beltanebordermorris outside. 🌓 @angelcakepie2 in the evening at Ashburton Arts Centre 📸 @boss.morris @rabbit.baby.2 @edith__morris @lucy_j_wright 5th-28th September, open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday or by appointment

Meet the Artist: Henry Everett @henryeverettstoryteller is a queer performance storyteller, author, artist and poet. He tells stories for all ages across the country (Crick Crack Club), sold out run of ‘Pan the Wild God is Dead’ Brighton Fringe (2025), and can be found at festivals, schools, art centres and woodlands telling tall tales. Author of ‘Pixie Folk Tales’ a collection of 50 rascular traditional folk tales of the infamous magical characters (Illustrated by David Wyatt, published by The History Press 2025). He co runs South Devon Storytellers, and lives in Devon with his cat, Pooka. South Brent’s own storyteller/artist/ writer (Pixie Folk Tales), Henry is our lovely host as well as our queer folkloric storyteller. He will be telling traditional tales of transformation and empowerment. He will journey us into story to meet ourselves in the magic, irreverent and spectacular nature of our queer being. …………………… BENTWOOD is a new queer-led mini folk fest taking place in Ashburton, Devon on Saturday 30th May 2026. 4.30-10.30pm Local queer artists have come together to lead a festive, half-day promenade event with storytelling, dance and music. With art, artists and taking part at its heart, BENTWOOD platforms the rural queer experience, inviting people from all walks of life to celebrate together. Tickets £7.50-£25 See link in BENTWOOD bio for tickets or head to @field.system website Can’t come but would love to support? Donate via link in @bentwoodfest bio.

This year from 29-31 May, @field.system at 13 West Street In Ashburton will once again become the hub for the @ashburton_arts_trail walking trail over the weekend. 💫 There will be a large scale map and a piece from every exhibitor on display to help you plan your route and get the most from your visit. ✨ You will also be able to pick up a printed guide if you haven’t already!💚 Photo by @jack_witek 📸

A short trip to London for a lil’ bit of @Offbeat Film Festival…💫 Brilliant exhibition at @staffordshirest curated by @wilfridwoodsculptor and a lovely selection of films at @thegardencinema …Stunning work as always Mike and Rita!💚 And so very nice to meet-up with so many South West old and new friends, and lovely to have some real-life meetups with instagram pals too! Also a liking for late medieval depictions of drapery from @thenationalgallerey and for drinks in high Victorian pubs seems to have been revealed- who knew!

Some wonderful images taking us back a couple of weeks to our third year of May Day celebrations in Ashburton, this year nestled into lovely @dartmoortorsfest ✨ A huge thank you to everyone who shared their work and stories: @lallymacbeth , @matthew___shaw , and @penny_macbeth for their enchanting exhibition; @the.stone.club and @storytimewithcraven for a brilliant opening night; The Valiant Mummers @grimspoundmorris and @newton_bushel_morris for bringing folk to life, even in the rain.💧 A very special thank you to Jack Witek (@jack_witek ) for generously volunteering his time and capturing the weekend so perfectly in these photos.📸 Thank you also to @drmartinshaw , @crowmancrow , and @author_helenjrbruce for sharing their work, research and stories…they are not in the photos ‘cause Jack can’t be everywhere, but we appreciate them just as much!💚

Meet the Artist: Kyra Norman @kyra_norman_ is an artist, dancer, choreographer and DJ based in West Cornwall. In 2024, she brought a performance of ongoing work, Deep Time Moving, to Ashburton Arts, opening up conversations around dance and geology as complementary ways of experiencing place, through movement and time. Kyra is delighted to be returning to Ashburton now, to DJ for BENTWOOD. She’ll be selecting an eclectic, heartfelt mix of her most beloved funk, soul and disco tracks: stylish classics, unfamiliar wonders & fresh takes. Kyra’s artistic practice explores movement, connection, presence and listening, in lots of different ways. Current works include Distant Dances - guided adventures in movement and dance, for all bodies that like to move; Up, Across & Along - experimental movement research, performance and play; and All In - ongoing collaboration with artist Faye Dobinson, as part of which they host All in Disco @thisis_allin . Launched in September 2024 in a beautiful old ballroom in Penzance, and already 21 parties in, their events are a reclamation of disco’ as a music-led, energised, radical, heartfelt space where difference is celebrated, freedom is felt and your style is your own. …………………… BENTWOOD is a new queer-led mini folk fest taking place in Ashburton, Devon on Saturday 30th May 2026. 4.30-10.30pm Local queer artists have come together to lead a festive, half-day promenade event with storytelling, dance and music. With art, artists and taking part at its heart, BENTWOOD platforms the rural queer experience, inviting people from all walks of life to celebrate together. Tickets £7.50-£25 See link in BENTWOOD bio for tickets or head to @field.system website Can’t come but would love to support? Donate via link in @bentwoodfest bio.

NATURE LIKES BEING MUSE. Especially when the art is good. Field System presents artists @libby.bove.arts , @daisyrickman , @man.in.the.woods , @ardonaxela , @maxnaylorart , @blackbirdboundaries , @abigailtinnion , @house_of_goblin , Tamsin Wilson, @becky.dodman.wainwright , @drmartinshaw , @lucycheminaisceramics , @gemmatrickeystudio , @rubypaint.tings at SOLSTICE. 19–22 June, Trematon Castle, Cornwall. A not-for-profit gathering raising funds for @earthpercent . Enter the Garden. gardenoftomorrow.org.uk #SOLSTICE #NatureIsTheArtist #GardenOfTomorrow

The photos they NEVER wanted you to see!📸🚫 Too dangerous to publish? No, just some rather lovely shots of us that @jimwileman took for a recent feature in @guardian really, but the article had two different edits—online and in print—and our faces managed to make it into... neither! (We don’t mind, really, but surely Socs deserves national coverage, don’t you think?). Anyway, we are happy to be included alongside this assemblage of fine folk for @dartmoortorsfest . ✨We also voiced our concerns about the use of the “R-word” in the piece... (‘Revival’, if you were wondering!). While we and our community of makers and artists see our work as a continuous celebration of folk culture rather than a “revival,” it’s true there is a revival in media interest—and long may that continue!✨ Thank you to Steven Morris for visiting us and putting together a nice article and @mssophiepierce for organising 💚 ✨ Also in the @guardian yesterday is @georgemonbiot ‘s article about the amazing work done by our friend and neighbour Anthea who runs @commongroundconversationsuk - have a look at the wonderful work she does engaging voters in our most deprived areas in Devon on stories…

Meet the Artist: Fionn Cox-Davies @fionn_coxdaviesmusic is a Devon born, Ashburton based, queer artist creating idiosyncratic “rip your guts out” contemporary folk. His winding song structures, personal storytelling and broad vocal style make for deeply relatable, dynamic listening while his years of experience as an actor and contemporary dancer add subtlety and power to his performance presence. Fionn has just recorded his debut album FIONN and been picked up by promoter Velvet Beet. Fionn and fellow bandmate, Emily Williamson @m.rose.music will perform an intimate set in the beautiful St Lawrence Chapel to kick off his debut tour. The full band play at The Barrelhouse Totnes (June 19th) so come get a taster... up close and way too personal! “You’ve moved and inspired me... to do things excellently. Right from the very first breath you invited us into tender, beautiful and unexpected places. It was an honour to witness.” Katrina Pike “Oh my fucking lord where do I start? Mate that was mind blowingly amazing. Truly exceptional. I think you’re gonna be a really big deal in the music industry.” Naomi Banks …………………… BENTWOOD is a new queer-led mini folk fest taking place in Ashburton, Devon on Saturday 30th May 2026. 4.30-10.30pm Local queer artists have come together to lead a festive, half-day promenade event with storytelling, dance and music. With art, artists and taking part at its heart, BENTWOOD platforms the rural queer experience, inviting people from all walks of life to celebrate together. Tickets £7.50-£25 See link in BENTWOOD bio for tickets or head to @field.system website Can’t come but would love to support? Donate via link in @bentwoodfest bio.

Just been signing new drawings over at @field.system in Ashburton. I’ve had great fun with this batch. Some have been grabbed hot from the oven but there’s a few left and smelling’ good! Photo @jimwileman