An artist as influential as Henri Matisse would perhaps never have expected his work to be exhibited in a seaside town such as Bournemouth – and neither did I, writes Carlos Finlay.

Nevertheless, until August 16, TheGallery at Bournemouth Arts University is showcasing Matisse: Drawing with Scissors, an eclectic collection of lithographic prints of his celebrated paper cut-outs.

The paper collages themselves were completed during the last four years of his life, throughout which the French artist was confined to his bed.

Aside from this, the colours he uses are lively and saturated, to the point at which he was medically advised to wear tinted glasses.

Colour is therefore the most striking element of this exhibition, put together by the Hayward Touring Company, London.

Each of the lithographs was taken from the 1958 edition of the Parisian Art Magazine, Verve, emulating the same movement and boldness captured in Matisse’s original collages.

Particularly famous works, such as The Snail and Blue Nude, were a joy to witness in person as opposed to solely online or in prestigious art galleries.

As the exhibition progressed, observing Bournemouth Arts University’s own students try their hands at Matisseinspired works brought another dimension to the collection, demonstrating the influence such celebrated works of art can – and do – have on those learning from such old masters and art world celebrities.