Born in Bradford, England, in 1937, David Hockney is an English painter, printmaker, photographer and stage designer. He is considered one of the most popular and versatile British artists of the 20th century. A pioneer of the Pop Art movement, he started as a draughtsman while studying at Bradford School of Art between 1953 and 1957.
He developed his art by initially copying parts of poems onto his paintings. He produced a series of paintings from 1960 to 1961 of a homosexual love theme, which gained Hockney recognition. This was before homosexuality was decriminalised in English in 1967.
Hockney moved to California in 1963, his work then changed from oil to acrylic, emphasizing the flat and brightness of the colours. By the end of the 60s, Hockney’s work showed a relaxation and his naturalistic style began to emerge.
He experimented with photography in the 70s, creating his famous photo collages. During this time he was considered to be a realist. In the 80s Hockney returned to painting, featuring seascapes, flowers and portraits.
Hockney has produced work in almost every medium, including set design and prints and experimenting in ways of producing drawings such as fax machines, laser photocopiers, computers, iPhones and iPads.
Hockney’s newer landscape works have a bold colour palette, almost like children’s storybook illustrations. The woodland paintings show trees that almost appear 3D and scenic snapshots of nature made timeless. For many pieces, Hockney returns to the same place to show the passing of seasons.
Sorcha Harm 