Acclaimed artist John Hurford joins socio-cultural anthropologist Dr Ivan Tacey as they discuss their experiences with the Batek, an indigenous community in Malaysia. Taken seriously, graphic novels can communicate the Batek’s current predicaments, world view and relations with spirits and outsiders with a wider public.

John Hurford Hon SWAc, SGFA is a North Devon Farmer who became a full time painter in 2001 His work mainly concerns the flora and fauna on his farm, but in June and July 2019 he went to Peninsular Malaysia with Dr Ivan Tacey to photograph and paint the Batek. He is producing photographs, painting, books and a graphic novel written by Dr Tacey resulting from this experience.

Dr Ivan Tacey is a socio-cultural anthropologist specialized in Southeast Asia. His research examines relationships between humans and the environments they live in, including shamanism, animism and how indigenous peoples relations with spirits refract historical, political and environmental transformations.

The Drecki Lecture Series is named honour of of Zbigniew Drecki, who nurtured the South West Academy in its early years. The lectures have ranged from personal accounts given by distinguished artists to fascinating journeys in art and philosophy, and even a dramatic presentation.