Alex Allardyce is exhibiting a selection of original prints in the Rick Faries Gallery at the Masterworks Museum.

For those not in the know, an original print is a print that is made entirely by artists, be it a linocut, woodcut, etching, lithograph etc.

It is not a reproduction of a work of art. Each original print is an original work of art, just as is a painting or sculpture, and is valued as such.

In the case of the Allardyce exhibition; he is showing 20 limited-edition reduction linocuts and four large monoprints.

A reduction linocut is a process apparently invented by Picasso, whereby it is possible to create a multicoloured print utilising only one lino block.

I understand that each reduction linocut was printed in editions of either ten or 20 prints.

In the exhibition catalogue, on the far right, you will see how many were available at the time of the exhibition’s opening. The price of each linocut is really modest and would make an impressive Christmas gift.

A monoprint is a one-off original print that can be produced by a variety of techniques. It is by its very technical nature designed to be a one-off and cannot be a limited edition print.

As indicated in the catalogue, the subjects of this show are based on certain architectural decorative features, such as balustrades or decorative concrete blocks.

It is interesting to note; the artist, Alex Allardyce is a retired architect, hence his interest in certain historic architectural decorative elements.

Although I have never been a fan of the decorative concrete block, I find the Allardyce prints inspired by decorative concrete blocks, far more appealing than their underlying inspirations.

What I have learnt from my research into decorative concrete, however, is that its makers often even added varying colours to the concrete.

As for the balustrade prints: these are inspired by Bermuda’s traditional Victorian verandas. Typically, the balusters consists of flat, decorative (gingerbread) fretwork, the design of which is repeated the length of the veranda.

The titles in the balustrade prints refer to the names of particular houses, such as Wantley, or Roseville. Their fretwork verandas were a source of inspiration.

Of note is the print entitled Botanics I. The Masterworks Museum is raising funds to restore the old, now ruined Parks Building as their new Art and Design Centre. Funds from the sale of this print will go in part towards that project.

Balustrade Cavalcade was curated by Max Grainge

This is a well-crafted, colourful, sophisticated exhibition that is more than worth a visit, The exhibition continues through December 28.