This exhibition, and the book which accompanies it, is a celebration. It marks Colin's 80th Birthday, and is an opportunity to mount an important retrospective exhibition highlighting his long career and pre-eminence as a wood engraver.
The exhibition contains his first completed, rare and rarely-seen blocks, and examples from every subsequent chapter of his career.
Colin has been rightfully recognised as the leading wood-engraver of his generation. His meticulous technique honours the long tradition of British wood-engraving. But he has developed an innovative approach that is modern and uniquely his own.
The process of turning a block of wood into a finished image is long and rigorous. While the flowing elegance and fluid lines on display seem effortless, it requires care, patience and considerable physical control as well as mental dexterity.
Colin's skill and vision as an artist was apparent from the start of his career and his work has always attracted attention. It is collected widely, appearing in many public and private collections. He has published beautiful and significant books of his engravings and writings over the years. Many of these images are exhibited in this show.