David Hockney, an influential British artist, has captivated the art world with his vibrant works and constant innovation across various media. From his early days in Pop Art to his pioneering use of digital tools, Hockney's career spans decades, marked by a relentless curiosity and a unique perspective on the world. This comprehensive overview delves into David Hockney's life and art, exploring his artistic journey, significant contributions, and the techniques that define his legacy.
Unpacking David Hockney: Life and Art Throughout the Decades
Born on July 9, 1937, in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, David Hockney was the fourth of five children. His father, Kenneth Hockney, was an accountant's clerk and a conscientious objector during WWII, while his mother, Laura, was a devout Methodist and strict vegetarian. This upbringing shaped a thoughtful and independent individual.
Early Life, Education, and Pop Art Contributions
Hockney's artistic journey began at Wellington Primary School, followed by Bradford Grammar School and Bradford College of Art. He then attended the prestigious Royal College of Art (RCA) in London, where he met fellow artists like R. B. Kitaj, Frank Bowling, and Neil Stokoe. While at the RCA, Hockney gained recognition alongside Peter Blake in the New Contemporaries exhibition, which heralded the arrival of British Pop Art.
Though associated with Pop Art, Hockney's early works also incorporated expressionist elements, drawing comparisons to Francis Bacon. A defining moment at the RCA came in 1962 when he famously protested a required life drawing assignment by painting Life Painting for a Diploma. His talent and growing reputation led the RCA to change its regulations, allowing him to graduate based solely on his artworks. After graduating, he briefly taught at Maidstone College of Art and later at universities in Iowa, Colorado, and California.
Moving to Los Angeles and Iconic Swimming Pool Paintings
In 1964, Hockney moved to Los Angeles, a place that profoundly influenced his work. Here, he found inspiration in the Californian lifestyle, leading to a celebrated series of swimming pool paintings. These works, often created with the then-new acrylic medium, are characterized by their vibrant colors and distinctive style.
He resided intermittently in Los Angeles, London, and Paris from the late 1960s to the 1970s. In 1978, he rented, and later bought and expanded, a home in the Hollywood Hills, which included his studio. He also owned a beach house in Malibu until 1999.
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David Hockney's Diverse Artistic Techniques and Works
Hockney is renowned for his willingness to experiment with a vast array of media. His oeuvre includes painting, drawing, printmaking, watercolours, photography, and even unconventional tools like a fax machine, paper pulp, and various computer applications.
Printmaking Innovations
Hockney's engagement with printmaking began early, with a lithograph Self-Portrait in 1954 and etchings during his time at RCA. He collaborated with Gemini G.E.L. in 1965, producing The Hollywood Collection, a series recreating the art collection of an imagined Hollywood star. Other significant print portfolios include:
- A Rake's Progress (1961–63)
- Illustrations for Fourteen Poems from C.P. Cavafy (1966)
- Illustrations for Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm (1969)
- The Blue Guitar (1976–77), a suite of 20 etchings inspired by Wallace Stevens and Pablo Picasso.
In 1978, he worked with printer Ken Tyler, exploring a new technique using liquid paper pulp, creating unique works that blurred the lines between printmaking and painting. His printmaking journey, including 'computer drawings' printed on fax machines and inkjet printers, was celebrated in a 2014 retrospective, Hockney, Printmaker.
The Evolution of David Hockney's Portraits
Portraits have been a recurring theme throughout Hockney's career, showcasing his remarkable ability to capture the essence of his subjects. From 1968, he created realistic, nearly life-size portraits and double portraits of friends, lovers, and relatives. Key subjects include:
- His family
- Artists Mo McDermott and Maurice Payne
- Fashion designers Celia Birtwell and Ossie Clark (Mr. and Mrs. Clark and Percy, 1970–71)
- Curator Henry Geldzahler
- His romantic interests, such as Peter Schlesinger and Gregory Evans
Hockney has also created over 300 self-portraits. Between 1999 and 2001, he utilized a camera lucida for art historical research and studio work, producing over 200 drawings of friends, family, and himself. In 2016, his series 82 Portraits and 1 Still-life, featuring