How much do you know about David Hockney?
Translated from:
“The world’s most expensive artist”
“An artist loved all over the world”
“A living legend of contemporary art”
are some phrases used to describe the British artist, David Hockney.
But how many of his works can we recall?
He is known famously as an artist, yet this is the very reason viewers do not know much about him as an individual.
“The 1950s” (Everyone has their firsts. Even David Hockney)
[Key word: self-portraits]
“By the age of 11 he had already decided to become an artist — even if he was unsure about exactly what one did — and he set about it with cussedness.” — Michael Prodger
“The 1960s” (Hommage Prints)
[Key word: William Hogarth’s “A Rake’s Progress”]
is a series of eight paintings displaying the decline and fall of a character named Tom Rakewell, the spendthrift son and heir of a rich merchant, who comes to London, wastes all his money on luxurious living, prostitution, and gambling. He is eventually imprisoned as a consequence, and ultimately spends the rest of his life in a mental hospital.
After three months of travelling the United States, Hockney returns to London in 1961 to create a 16-part print series in hommage to Hogarth. Prints over paintings as a medium of choice had been due to his skills learned at the Royal Academy of Art.
The series was set in modern New York, having the main character waste his obtained assets away just as in Hogarth’s paintings.
Even to the title. And rather than numbering his prints from 1 through 16, he titles them 1a through 8 in true hommage to Hogarth’s eight paintings!
Although today Hockney is an established artist with a style of his own, that wasn’t always the case from the beginning.
[Key word: Homosexuality]
Since his days at the Royal Academy of Art , Hockney was deeply fascinated with Greek Poet, Constantine P. Cavafy. Among his literature, the subject of homosexuality was one that fascinated Hockney the most. Hockney, who led his life as an openly gay man, didn’t just admire Cavafy’s works from afar, but went on to create a 14 part illustration series in hommage to them.
Following this work, the theme of homosexuality became more and more prominent in his artistic career. During a period when homosexuality was considered illegal in England, Hockney still proceeded to express same-sex relationships in an artistic manner.
“I knew it was illegal, but I didn’t really think much at the time. We just lived and enjoyed in a bohemian world. I do not speak for others. I’m just keeping my way of life.” — David Hockney
[Key word: Swimming Pools]
Hockney split his time travelling between Los Angeles, London, and Paris throughout his life, L.A making the greatest impact. The sunny weather, lively atmosphere, and — swimming pools that were unlike anything in England.
Finally in 1964, Hockney moved to L.A with his parter, Peter Schlesinger. From this point onwards, he started paying attention to the great details of light reflected on water. And this fascination led to the creation of his most popular work, “A Bigger Splash” (1967). The pool would later become a representing keyword and theme throughout his entire career.
“The 1970s” (Two Person Portraits)
[Key Word: Portraits]
If Hockney’s portraits were previously centered around lovers, they expanded into his parents, friends, and other relatives in the 70s.
The characters in the painting were friends of Hockney, captured during the couple’s honeymoon phase. The cold and tense feeling between the two portrayed foreshadows their separation shortly after the painting’s completion. It is significant that the artist was able to capture the couple’s energy honestly without hiding it.
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