Kille, who primarily focused his lens on capturing intimate portraits of his daughter and the picturesque Somerset landscape, left behind a substantial body of work that had remained hidden for generations. The photographer's granddaughter, Atha Murphy, made the remarkable discovery while sorting through boxes during preparations for a house move, uncovering a treasure trove of photographic history that had been carefully preserved.
"I am proud. People come into the exhibition and recognize people they knew in the photos. It's nice to remind people of him," Murphy expressed, reflecting on the community's response to her grandfather's work.
More than a century ago, Kille established and operated the Gift and Art shop on Friday Street in Minehead, serving as both a local business owner and a passionate photographer whose artistic contributions had been largely forgotten over the decades. Murphy, who never had the opportunity to meet her grandfather as he passed away before her parents married, has found that these photographs help her "build a picture of him" and understand his character and interests.
"He clearly adored my mom, he took many lovely pictures of her," Murphy noted, highlighting the personal nature of much of Kille's photographic work.
During the late 1920s and throughout the 1930s, Kille's photographs documenting West Somerset scenes gained significant recognition, regularly appearing across a diverse range of national newspapers including The Daily Telegraph, The Manchester Guardian, the News Chronicle, and The Daily Express, as well as various regional daily publications. This widespread publication of his work demonstrates the quality and appeal of his photographic documentation of rural English life during this period.
The family's recent discovery includes an impressive collection of 400 fragile glass plates, each one meticulously preserved in protective brown paper sleeves. These photographs provide a comprehensive visual record of the local area, capturing scenes that have since vanished from the landscape, including the long-demolished Minehead Lido, the historic final launch of the wooden sailing lifeboat, traditional farming methods of the era, ships, and portraits of sailors who worked in the area.
Kille's daughter frequently served as a subject for his photography, appearing in numerous portraits that showcase both his technical skill and his affection for his family. The photographs collectively paint a picture of life in West Country England during a transformative period in the early 20th century.
"Everybody knew my family in Minehead, not because we were posh but because we had a shop," Murphy explained, providing context for her grandfather's position within the local community. She described him as someone who "seemed to have been quiet and sort of creative and a very loving father by all accounts," adding wistfully, "So it would have been nice to have known him as my grandfather."
The free exhibition at Townsend House offers visitors the opportunity to view these rediscovered works and experience a unique glimpse into both the artistic vision of a forgotten photographer and the daily life of a Somerset coastal community during the interwar period. The display runs until August 9, providing the public with access to this previously unseen collection of historical photographs.
This discovery and exhibition highlight the importance of preserving family archives and the potential for uncovering significant artistic and historical treasures that might otherwise be lost to time. Kille's work serves as both an artistic achievement and a valuable historical document, capturing the essence of West Somerset life during a pivotal period in British history.
