David Hockney: biography and information

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

David Hockney - one of the founders of pop art, artist, photographer, stage designer, graphic artist. Member of the British Order of Merit since 2012. He is called a classic of British art, and his works are among the most expensive in the world. His famous painting Splash was sold for nearly $5.5 million.

David Hockney: biography

Hockney was born on July 9, 1937. He comes from the small English town of Bradford, which is located in West Yorkshire. His family was of strict morals. The boy's parents were very respectful of church traditions. Despite this, young David had a temper and rebellious character. From an early age, the boy was interested in drawing. David's father, Ken Hockney, contributed to the development of the hobby. He worked as an accountant, but his interest in painting appeared a long time ago and in his spare time the man was engaged in drawing, and in the evenings he took painting lessons.

Education

After graduating from high school, David Hockney (pictured above) entered the art institute. The study went smoothly, the young man's talent was revealed later. However, at this time, David's rebellious nature was actively manifested. To graduate from the institute, it was required to write a graduation project, but the young artist refused to do this. The administration of the educational institution threatened him with not issuing a diploma. In response to the threat, Hockney draws a sketch called "Thesis". Despite the folly of the young man, the administration of the institute went to meet him and handed him a diploma of graduation.

Service

After completing his studies at the Hockney Institute, he enters the civil service. At this time, the young man does not remain indifferent to political life. He draws several posters dedicated to nuclear disarmament. Returning two years later, David travels to London and enters the Royal College of Art.

New lifestyle

At the same time, the young man met the famous American artist R. China, visited many exhibitions, got acquainted with the works of Picasso. The paintings of the famous artist impressed David, he visits an exhibition of his work eight times.

In 1961, David Hockney is a member of the exhibition of young contemporaries.

This period left an imprint on Hockney's worldview. He changes his attitude to life and to creativity. A young man decides to leave for America.

Life in America

After settling in New York, David Hockney makes friends with many interesting people, including Andy Warhol. Communication with famouspersonality in the world of pop art, as well as the charm and movement of the big city, inspire the young man to write a series of prints ("The Adventure of a Young Rake"). The main protagonist of the paintings was a young man - a provincial, not yet experienced in the modern world of opportunities.

First big order

David's work was a success and he gets his first major commission. He had to design an opera set for the Glynbourne Festival in 1975.

Life in America conquered Hockney. Soon he decides to move to Los Angeles. It is here that he reveals himself as a talented artist and receives fame and recognition. The main themes of his work are: the interaction of light and water, as well as the beauty of men and the male body.

In 1963, David is already lecturing at American universities.

In 1968 the first exhibition of the artist takes place. The 70s and 80s pass for Hockney in intensive work. He receives a commission to create a series of engravings dedicated to Picasso, again he is engaged in the design of theatrical performances and productions, creating magnificent scenery.

1977 David Hockney writes a book with his memoirs, which is called "David Hockney". After 16 years, the artist releases another of his biography, en titled "This is how I see."

David Hockney - Photographer

At the same time, the young man begins to take pictures and succeeds in this. The unusual look of the artist allows you to create even in small photographs of the cameraPolaroid.

In 1982, an exhibition of Hockney's photographs was held in Paris. At the same time, he is releasing a book (David Hockney: Photographs). All this brings him the fame of a wonderful, talented photographer, one of the leading masters of his time.

80 Hockney spent the main business of his life - painting. During this period, computer innovations, faxes, copiers began to be actively used. The young artist experiments and tries to print his work on printers and fax them.

Creativity

David Hockney is an artist who easily works in various genres and styles. He has many works in the traditional manner, as well as unusual and experimental ways of painting.

His paintings were imprinted by the nature that surrounded him, the straight lines of skyscrapers and new architectural creations. He pays a lot of attention to colors and light. A large role in the paintings of David Hockney is played by a pool and mirrors. The pool was for the young artist the epitome of luxury and a beautiful life, which he saw so much in America. In addition, the pool perfectly reflected light and transmitted glare, making it possible to play with colors and shades.

The artist does not paint to order, preferring to work for friends, relatives and close acquaintances. This is reflected in his paintings. It not only perfectly depicts the external appearance of people, it shows their inner world.

David Hockney, Big Splash

One of the artist's most famous paintings is his work undercalled "Splash". The picture was painted in just two weeks. The artist wanted to convey the play of light and color of water. Hockney was inspired by the drawing technique of Leonardo Da Vinci. The opportunity to show the viewer a moment that lasts only a few seconds captivated him, and the result justified itself. The picture is unusual in that it conveys only a moment. This creation was sold in 2006 for nearly $5.5 million.

Other works by the artist

Hockney has a lot of other equally famous works. For example, "Peter is selected …". The painting depicts a young man getting out of the water. On canvas, the artist depicted his young friend and his muse. Initially, it was just a photograph. The painting was painted from a photograph taken by David Hockney himself. The artist's work is very versatile. He uses various styles and directions, trying to convey the essence.

The artist often uses the theme of mirrors in his works. He writes several paintings using mirror images. Sometimes he draws his reflection or the reflection of other people.

Secret Knowledge

David Hockney is the one who solved one of the mysteries of Renaissance artists. It was this period that is characterized by clearer lines, an abundance of colors and light in the paintings, and the most realistic portraits. What was the mystery of the era? For a long time no one could figure it out.

One fine day, David Hockney decided to look at the work of one of the artists of that time through a magnifying glass, and later printed it on their copier formore detailed study. David Hockney's secret knowledge was the use of mirrors by artists. Important inventions of that time were the camera obscura and the camera lucida. The image was projected onto the canvas, after which it was simply outlined.

He was able to prove his case on the example of many paintings by artists of that era. One of the confirmations of his discovery was the abundance of left-handers in the paintings of artists (after all, everything is reflected upside down in the mirror).

Using a mirror made it possible to draw sharper lines, depict the correct shades and reflections of light, because the image did not change when the artist moved.

Book and movie about knowledge

The opinion of the famous artist was supported by the American physicist and professor of optics - Charles Falco. He co-authored a book on the discovery.

The theory of secret knowledge has become the subject of many discussions and disputes. There are both supporters of the discovery and its opponents. In any case, "Secret Knowledge" does not detract from the talent of artists, because any artistic technique is just a way for the author to convey his vision of the world and the picture.

After the publication of the book, it was decided to make a film in English. The film was directed by David Hockney. "Secret Title" in Russian will be released a little later.

Awards

In 1988, Hockney was awarded the Medal of Progress by the Photographic Society, and in 1989 the artist won the Imperial Prize.

In 1990, they wanted to knight the artist, but herefused. He did not accept the offer to paint a portrait of the Queen herself.

2012 gave Hockney a new surprise - he was offered to become a member of the British Order of Merit. Such an award goes to a great contribution to the arts, science, development of the country's armed forces and other major achievements.

Heads the order of the monarch of Great Britain. Its members always include only 24 people from among the living at the moment. The decision to accept a new member is up to the Queen.

The life of an artist at the moment

After a long period of life in America, David Hockney decides to return to his homeland, Yorkshire, choosing the resort town of Bridlington. Here, the Hockney family has a villa that previously belonged to his mother.

David Hockney continues to draw. Works painted during this period form the basis of the artist's exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts. David Hockney is inspired by the little things. The simple change of seasons had already become something long forgotten to him. After thirty long years of living in the eternally hot California, to feel the cool fresh air and see how the weather changes was unexpected and pleasant for the artist.

Hockney's views and tastes

David continues to lead an active life. Hockney, as a dog lover, supports the current of dog hunting. He even speaks at demonstrations in support of this sporting direction. The artist is against the mandatory use of seat belts in the car.

Hockney is a heavy smoker with 56 years of experience. He enjoys the momentwithout limiting yourself. Hockney David is one of those who lights a cigarette from the previous one. Naturally, he was unpleasantly surprised by the introduction of a ban on smoking in pubs. As a heavy smoker, he is in favor of reversing this decision.

The artist has a negative attitude towards military operations in Iraq and expresses his opinion about the unification of Europe.

Hockney continues to create in his usual manner. His paintings continue to be a huge success and there are ongoing exhibitions of David Hockney's work.