Exhibition 'John Doubleday - Landscapes and Echoes' in Beecroft Art Gallery
John Doubleday has a considerable career behind him of public works commissioned by governments and institutions. Many will be familiar with Charlie Chaplin in Leicester Square, Brunel at Paddington Station and Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street. His works can be seen in many countries round the world. Now, at a later stage in his career, he is concentrating on the more personal vision of work produced for exhibitions such as this forthcoming show at the Beecroft Art Gallery in Southend.
There is always more to Doubleday's work than might at first be apparent. This exhibition is about landscapes and the other realities that can be perceived in them. He has a strong affinity with the landscape of Essex, the county in which he was born, grew up and in which he has lived for most of his life.
The paintings and relief bronzes in this exhibition explore the sensation of being somewhere rather than representing a particular place. The work has echoes of idiosyncratic dreams, visions and stories that we create for ourselves. We carry ghosts with us which inform our perception. It is the echoes of these ghosts which colour the work in the exhibition.
For those not familiar with the work of John Doubleday, this exhibition is likely to provide unexpected glimpses into the familiar.
Sally Patrick
Hayletts Gallery 2018
