Local artists celebrate Devon’s rich literary history with unveiling at Exeter St Davids for World Book Day

The artwork, drawn by local artists Isabel Keen (working under the name Billy Ruffian) and Jack Ratcliff, celebrates Exeter’s Unesco City of Literature designation, and supported by Great Western Railway’s (GWR) Customer and Community Improvement Fund. 

Inspired by Devon’s great writers and literary locations, the artwork features scenes from timeless works of literature by authors such as Philip Reeve and Agatha Christie, as well as familiar places and faces from around the region.  

These include students of Exeter College and St.Martin’s Primary School, staff from the NHS and Libraries Unlimited, local authors Michael Morpurgo and Sabine Baring-Gould, and the Exeter City of Literature team. 

Anna Cohn Orchard, Executive Director of Exeter City of Literature said: 

“This artwork celebrating Devon's rich literary heritage epitomizes Exeter City of Literature's belief that words create worlds. Isabel and Jack's extraordinary designs bring authors' worlds to life and honour the creativity of the writers and people who live here.  

“I'm incredibly grateful to GWR for helping us memorialise Exeter's UNESCO City of Literature status in such a vibrant, imaginative way.” 

Isabel Keen, the artist who helped to unveil the mural, said:  

“I’m so excited to see our work in the station. Some of the books I based panels on are very important to me, and it was a joy to draw them. It’s been lovely to explore new places in Devon and meet lots of interesting people as part of the project. It's given me a deeper understanding of my home's literary history and how it intertwines with the lives of people here.”  

Jack Ratcliff, added:  

“This project has been the opportunity of a lifetime. Getting the chance to immortalise some of my favourite works of literature and celebrate the many incredible and beautiful aspects of Devon’s cultural heritage has been truly joyful. I’ve never felt so connected to the history and people of my home county as I have done through engaging with the communities, individuals, and works we've featured in this artwork.” 

Last April a Penguin Books vending machine was installed at the station thanks to a partnership between Penguin Books, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature and Great Western Railway. Clare and Michael Morpurgo officially unveiled the machine with remarks from Clare about her father, Sir Allen Lane, the founder of Penguin Books. 

Sir Allen Lane was inspired to found Penguin Books after he couldn’t find a good book to read at Exeter St Davids station. Penguin and Exeter went back to their roots to ensure that Exeter’s commuters won’t face the same problem with the Penguin Books vending machine. 

GWR Station Manager for Exeter St Davids Robin Barrington-Best, who features in the artwork, said: 

“It has been a real honour to welcome the artists to help unveil their work. We hope it will help inspire a new sense of excitement in customers as they travel through the station on new adventures. 

“GWR’s affiliation with the county’s literature dates back nearly 90 years and is something we are very proud of.”  

GWR’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund is designed to support small and medium rail-related projects that can be completed over the course of the financial year. 

GWR has announced that they are now inviting bids for the Customer and Community Improvement Fund for the 2024/25 financial year. The fund opened to bids at the end of February and closes on Monday 25 March.