biography

Born 1957
Apprentice Shipwright 1972 - 76
Colchester School of Art 1976 - 77
Chelsea School of Art 1977 - 80
Royal College of Art 1981 - 84

James Dodds was born in the east coast fishing town of Brightlingsea, and trained as a shipwright in Maldon. He then studied painting at Chelsea and the Royal College of Art, London. He has also conceived, illustrated and hand-produced a series of artists books.

James regularly exhibits at Messum's Fine Art, Cork St, London,
Hayletts Gallery Maldon, Northouse Gallery,
Bircham Contemporary Arts and Mystic Seaport, America.

He had a major retrospective show, "Shipshape", at firstsite at The Minories in Colchester in November 2001. This show subsequently toured at Whitstable, Herne Bay, Frome, the Isle of Wight, Barnard Castle, the National Maritime Museum of Cornwall, the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich. Great Yarmouth and Hartlepool.

His work has been purchased by Britten-Pears Library, Aldeburgh; Victoria and Albert Museum; Clacton & Rochford Hospitals; Chelmsford and Essex Museums; Ipswich Borough Council, Museums and Galleries; Colchester Borough Council; Horniman Museum, London and many private collectors.