Seas and Fantasies

an exhibition of paintings by Allan Price

“Seas and Fantasies” is the second exhibition from Allan Price, which brings him back to Red Lion Books.

Allan was born in Cheshunt and grew up in Birmingham where he embarked on his career as an engineer. He had always enjoyed art (both seeing and doing), but only in recent years has he picked up his paints and brushes as a committed, if part-time, artist. He prefers to work with acrylic or watercolours.

Allan has lived in Colchester since 2015, and is married to local radio presenter/producer, Liz Mullen. The proximity of Mersea Island soon proved an inspiration, but so have other watery locations, from the Firth Of Clyde to Norfolk, Northumbria and Northern Ireland. This exhibition also includes the second in his occasional series of wrecked rowing boats: “Abandoned – Reclaimed”

Allan has benefitted from the support of artists Angella Horner (founder of Colchester’s CO3 Gallery) and Sally Delaney – whose life drawing classes at Firstsite have also helped to improve his techniques and expand his horizons. As Engineering & Facilities Manager of a pharmaceutical company, Allan brings an engineer’s eye to his more draughtsman-like fantasies, nicknamed Geo-Doodles.

Yet again, Allan is enormously grateful to Jo Coldwell and Red Lion Books for giving him this opportunity.

There will be a Private View of the exhibition on Saturday 18th January from 2 – 3 pm. All are welcome to this opportunity to meet the artist.

The exhibition will continue through to the end of January.

Jumbo: The Water Tower

The Grade II* listed Jumbo is the largest remaining Victorian water tower in Britain, and an increasingly rare example of one in an original condition. The tower was nicknamed “Jumbo” after the London Zoo elephant as a term of derision in 1882 by Reverend John Irvine who was annoyed that the tower dwarfed his nearby rectory at St. Mary-at-the-Walls.

Jumbo has been recognised by Historic England as a structure of exceptional architectural and historic interest, and is of great importance both nationally and locally.

Brian Light has for many years worked to preserve Jumbo and in this book he tells the full story of the history of Colchester’s most iconic building.

Paperback, £9.99