Behind the Hoardings

This May, Ann Dowden will be holding her first solo exhibition at the Level Best Gallery.

‘Behind the Hoardings’ is inspired by the ever-evolving Colchester landscape. New construction sites are frequently emerging and fundamentally altering the physical aesthetics of the region. This transformation of Britain’s oldest city has been captured in Ann’s artwork in which she has illustrated the fascinating journey of building sites, capturing the buzz of the works usually concealed behind the hoardings.

This exhibition serves as a reminder of the ecological toll of such progressive endeavours but also highlights the vibrant and intriguing world of construction sites. Dowden’s long-standing interest in the workings of machinery and the process of construction is evident in her art.

A testament to the artistic potential of civil engineering, Dowden’s work was selected for the “Streets Stories Colchester” Business Improvement District project in 2022.

Living in Colchester since 1965, Dowden began her career at the University of Essex where she was introduced to the world of computer programming. It wasn’t until later in life that Dowden developed a passion for art. Following retirement, she self-taught watercolour painting and took pleasure in sketching various outdoor elements, such as buildings, trees, boats, and rusting machinery. Her technical background can be seen in her interest in the structure, shapes, and colours of her subjects.

In 2018, she completed a Certificate in Fine Art at the Art Academy, London, expanding her skills in diverse media and techniques. Although she initially worked with watercolours and acrylics, Dowden is currently exploring the realms of abstract art through oil paints, keeping her technical perspective intact.