While dealer Messum’s continues to stage regular exhibitions of his work, Dodds’ popularity on the primary market has now begun to spill over into the saleroom.
On October 10 at Keys (20% buyer’s premium) in Aylsham, a typical depiction of a bright-coloured wooden boat hull sold to a buyer bidding via thesaleroom.com at £15,200 (estimate £2000-3000). The price represented a five-fold increase on the previous artist’s auction record (source: Artprice by Art Market).
Small Yellow Boat, a signed 2ft 1in x 5ft 1in (91cm x 1.52m) oil on canvas from 2002, led the sale of works from the Archant collection of Modern British art.
Formerly known as Eastern Counties Newspapers, Archant has a long heritage in East Anglia. The firm was co-founded by the Colman family (of mustard fame) in 1845 and this collection was on display at its Norwich headquarters for many years.
Overall, the 126-lot collection totalled £160,000 with over 60% selling above top estimate. Keys’ consultant David Broom said: “The results show a strong market for good Modern art fresh to the market offered at an affordable price.”
