Friday, 30 January 2009

Illustrated Book Of The Week - Knock John Ship

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I first discovered the work of artist James Dodds at the superb Wivenhoe bookshop in Essex. Anyone with a love of boats, the English coastline and especially Essex's salt marshes will adore his work

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The book is published by the Jardine Press which was started by James in his final year at the Royal College of Art (1984) The name "Jardine" comes from the press on which James used to print his first publications (a treadle platten press c. 1890's). Jardine Press Ltd is now run by James and his wife Catherine.

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The book itself tells the story of the wreck in 1848 of a ship on the Knock John sandbank, through contemporary newspaper reports and personal accounts. The texts are also compiled by James and although there are relatively few illustrations, only 3 lino cuts (plus the gorgeous cover) the whole thing is beautifully laid out with maps, texts, fascinating texts. Copies can be ordered from
Jardine Press Ltd.

I'm sure this is not the last we'll see of James' work on The Curious Eye, as we're already looking forward to his upcoming exhibition at Messum's Fine Art, 8 Cork Street, London, W1S 3LJ, 25th February - 14th March


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