This former Co-operative building in Dartford – soon to accommodate a six-screen cinema as part of a £75 million project to transform the town centre – retains many fascinating features that only reveal themselves under certain lighting conditions (similar to the Egyptian pyramids photo’d by a WW1 pilot, which clearly showed there were in fact eight sides and not the previously assumed four). Look carefully at the very top of the structure at a specific time of day, for instance, and you’ll observe some delightfully decorative V-shaped brickwork.
In his typically narrative illustrative style, James chose to cast the art-deco facade in white during a snowstorm, with a classic red Ferrari providing a striking contrast. The balcony in the centre of the structure features a gem in the form of a symmetrical railing illuminated by spotlights on top of the canopy. Also, we see a robin redbreast perched on a string of lights underneath the canopy, casually observing the lady driver making a telephone call from an iconic red phone box. Meanwhile, her trusty canine friend waits patiently. And as both are in silhouette it poses the question: who drove whom? And are they arriving or leaving? This print is also available on request without the ‘DARTFORD’ branding on the base.
THE PRINT
This signed print is one of a limited edition. It’s recorded on Hahnemühle stock via a large format mimeograph and generally referred to as Giclée prints of premium quality. The paper is white 100% a-cellulose with a distinct textured surface and the premium matt inkjet coating more than meets the highest industry standards vis-à-vis density, colour gamut, colour graduation and image sharpness, while preserving the extraordinary touch and feel of genuine art paper. The editions depicted on Iconic Reserve are not representative of scale and solely for the purpose of suggestive display.
Signed limited edition
1 of 250, 420mm x 597mm
Recorded on Hahnemühle
Dartford collection