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A walk down the stairs at Red Lion Books along the High Street in Sunny Colch, and then a cheeky peer around the corner, and you’ll find yourself entering the latest unassuming James Dodds exhibition. For such an unassuming artist, the setting makes sense; equally the exceptional standard of Dodds’ print work could hold its own on the gallery space of any international exhibition.

*shhh* – Red Lions Books isn’t the only place in the *ahem* centre of the art world that has had the priviledge of hanging some prints from the master lino cutter of this hyperlocal patch.

Nine Dodds are currently being exhibited at the lovely Red Lion Books. The style may be familiar, but each work of art has a new detail to explore. How many times have you found yourself discovering something new in Wivenhoe Past and Present as you nurse another half shandy at The Greyhound?

The thrill of seeing this exhibition is the locality. Dodds is appreciated worldwide, but it is the very localised subject matter that make him such a joy around these parts. He is inspired by what he see around him – which is the way it should be for any artist / writer / um, hit and miss hyperlocal blogger.

It’s a two way relationship as well – witness Dodds’ support for the very ambitious and burgeoning Essex Print Club that brazenly set up a pop up shop over the summer months down at the front at Brightlingsea.

A settee at Red Lion Books very kindly provides you with the best seat in the house. Or even the basement. On Saturday afternoon, I sat back and enjoyed the views of St Oysth, Tollesbury and Brightlingsea. All from the comfort of Colchester High Street as well.

Blimey.

Written work is also featured in the exhibition, including Mr Mule’s celebrated Wildman of Wivenhoe masterpiece.

You can take the lino cutter out of Wivenhoe but you can’t take blah blah blah…

Hyperlocal art exemplified.

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