“I was sorry to hear today of David Hockney’s passing aged 88. I think he had a wonderful and rebellious spirit of curiosity. I particularly enjoyed his works in acrylic in the 1960s, such as ‘Rocky Mountains and Tired Indians’ (1965), and more recently the video installations at the Royal Academy, showing simultaneous films of the branches of a tree, each from a different angle, like a cinematic Cubism. He was very “open” to the new. We enjoyed his etchings that passed through our gallery. His writing as well is always engaging, as with his autobiography (pictured) ’That’s the way I see it” (1989), which describes so openly his development and ideas. In ‘Secret Knowledge’ (2001, revised 2006) he theorises on the way the camera obscura, and camera lucida, may have been used in the Renaissance, and asks interesting questions. There was also something uplifting in the man and the work, his wry humour and the bold colours, which makes you appreciate just being alive. No mean feat. RIP David Hockney.”
David Hockney was one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, known for his paintings, prints, photography and later digital works. His influence on contemporary British art continues to be felt worldwide.
Explore Further
- David Hockney artworks at IAP Fine Art
- British Contemporary Artists of same period
- Maggi Hambling: “Yes, I was a great friend of Derek Jarman. We used to go to dances at the Royal College of Art, where David Hockney would turn up wearing lots of make-up. Yes, I was part of all that.”
- Work by David Hockney in our current exhibition
