The Three Hares Project

The Three Hares Project
South Molton and District Museum

When: 01 April 2017 to 29 June 2017
Where: South Molton Museum
Cost: Free
Suitable for: Any age

The Three Hares Project was formed in 2000 by Tom Greeves, archaeologist and historian, Chris Chapman, documentary photographer, and Sue Andrew, art history researcher. The project is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to record and research all known occurrences of the three hares motif. This  ancient symbol consists of three hares or rabbits running in a circle and joined by their ears which form a triangle at the centre of the design. The symbol is a puzzle, as each creature appears to have two ears yet, between them, they share only three ears.

The Project has revealed the motif to be an extraordinary and ancient archetype, stretching across diverse religions and cultures, many centuries and many thousands of miles. It is part of the shared medieval heritage of Europe and Asia (Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism) yet still inspires creative work among contemporary artists.

A book by Tom Greeves, archaeologist and historian, Sue Andrew, art history researcher and Chris Chapman, photographer, has been edited and published by Dr  Richard Westcott, of South Molton, who, with Chris Chapman, has put together a fascinating exhibition for the museum, which will be complemented by a talk to be given in South Molton on Friday May 5th.

Exhibition Gallery

Exhibitions & Projects

  • Land of the Pharaohs: Egypt on Screen

    Land of the Pharaohs: Egypt on Screen

    Bill Douglas Centre

    29 January 2026 to 15 May 2026

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  • Bruce Oliver: A Grand Old Man of Barnstaple

    Bruce Oliver: A Grand Old Man of Barnstaple

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    21 March 2026 to 16 May 2026

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  • A Roof and A Sky

    A Roof and A Sky

    05 March 2026 to 17 May 2026

    View details

  • A Roof and A Sky

    A Roof and A Sky

    The Burton at Bideford

    05 March 2026 to 17 May 2026

    View details

  • Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy

    Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy

    The Box, Plymouth

    24 January 2026 to 31 May 2026

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  • Journeys with Mai

    Journeys with Mai

    The Box, Plymouth

    14 February 2026 to 14 June 2026

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  • Documentary Photography Open 2026

    Documentary Photography Open 2026

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    25 April 2026 to 20 June 2026

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  • The Art of Resurgence: Celebrating 60 Years of Resurgence

    The Art of Resurgence: Celebrating 60 Years of Resurgence

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    23 May 2026 to 18 July 2026

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  • What We Keep: The Art of Collecting

    What We Keep: The Art of Collecting

    The Burton at Bideford

    11 May 2026 to 19 July 2026

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  • Colour

    Colour

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    23 May 2026 to 06 September 2026

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  • History off the Hanger

    History off the Hanger

    Killerton House

    14 February 2026 to 01 November 2026

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  • Stored Secrets

    Stored Secrets

    Castle Drogo

    27 March 2026 to 01 November 2026

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  • Insects Uncovered: Biodiversity in Newton Abbot Exhibition

    Insects Uncovered: Biodiversity in Newton Abbot Exhibition

    Newton Abbot Museum

    17 March 2026 to 01 March 2027

    View details