The exhibition includes lifesize paintings (8ft by 4ft) and large scale woodcuts (5ft by 3ft) of workboats such as he used to build plus a selection from his series of 'panoramic' linocuts.

Dodds' background as a shipwright has emerged as the defining influence on his art and his inspiration derives from the atmospheric coastal towns and harbours of East Anglia, where he was born in 1957. His themes reflect the distinctive character of the local boats and the seafaring traditions and folklore of the shorelines, creeks and inlets where they can be found.

He has become best known for his linocuts, portraits or panoramic views of Essex ports, with boats, wharves, streets and other topographical features set out as though seen through a fish-eye lens.

Dodds says of the exhibition, 'Shipshape not only describes a way of working until something is right, but also the subject matter, of workboats whose curves and lines have been refined and evolved through centuries of use. The curved perspectives in the linocuts of the coastal towns and the rounded figures of my paintings echo the boat's satisfying shape.'

Shipshape runs at the National Maritime Museum from 24 November 2003 to 12 April 2004. The opening on 24 November coincides with the publication of the artist's book, 'Song of the Waterlily: the building of a boat'. Opening times are 10:00 to 17:00 seven days a week and admission is free.

Updated information is available at Tel: 020 8858 4422 or Web: www.nmm.ac.uk