David Hockney - one of the founders of pop art, artist, photographer, stage designer, graphic artist. Since 2012, the holder of the membership of the British Order of Merit. He is called a classic of British art, and his work is one of the most expensive in the world. His famous painting "Splash" was sold for almost 5.5 million dollars.
David Hockney: biography
Hockney was born on July 9, 1937. He hails from the small English town of Bradford, which is located in West Yorkshire. His family had strict morals. The boy's parents greatly respected 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 he developed an interest in painting a long time ago and in his free time he was engaged in drawing, and in the evenings he took painting lessons.
Education
After graduating from high school, David Hockney (photo above) entered the art institute. Studying went smoothly, the talent of the young man 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 a diploma issue. 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 over a diploma of graduation.
Service
After completing his studies at the institute, Hockney enters the civil service. At this time, the young man does not remain indifferent to political life. He draws several posters on nuclear disarmament. Returning two years later, David leaves for London and enters the Royal College of Art.
New lifestyle
At the same time, the young man gets acquainted with the famous American artist R. China, attends many exhibitions, gets acquainted with the works of Picasso. The paintings of the famous artist impressed David, he visits the exhibition of his works eight times.
In 1961, David Hockney participated in an exhibition of young contemporaries.
This period left an imprint on the worldview of Hockney. He changes his attitude towards life and creativity. The young man decides to go to America.
Life in America
Having settled in New York, David Hockney makes acquaintances with many interesting people, including Andy Warhol. Communication with a famous person in the world of pop art, as well as the charm and movement of a big city, inspire a young man to write a series of prints (“The Adventure of a Young Hangman”). The protagonist of the paintings was a young man - a provincial, not yet sophisticated in the modern world of opportunities.
First large order
David's work was a success, and he receives the first major order. He needed to create the scenery for the opera for the festival in Gleinburn, held 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 topics of his work are: the interaction of light and water, as well as the beauty of men and the male body.
In 1963, David was already giving lectures at American universities.
In 1968, the first exhibition of the artist. The 70s and 80s pass for Hockney in intense work. He receives an order to create a series of engravings dedicated to Picasso, again 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 biographies, entitled "That is how I see it."
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 on small photographs of the Polaroid camera.
In 1982, an exhibition of photographs of Hockney took place in Paris. At the same time, he is publishing a book (David Hockney: Photographs). All this brings him the glory of a beautiful, talented photographer, one of the leading masters of his time.
Hockney spent the 80s doing the main business of his life - painting. During this period, computer news, faxes, and photocopiers began to be actively used. The young artist is experimenting and trying to print his work on printers and sends them by fax.
Creation
David Hockney is an artist who easily works in various genres and styles. He has a lot of work in a traditional manner, and there are unusual and experimental ways of writing pictures.
The nature that surrounded him, the straight lines of skyscrapers and new architectural creations left their imprint on his paintings. He pays a lot of attention to colors and light. An important role in the paintings of David Hockney is played by the pool and mirrors. The pool was for the young artist the personification of luxury and 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 write to order, preferring to work for friends, relatives and close friends. This is reflected in his paintings. He not only beautifully depicts the appearance of people, he shows their inner world.
David Hockney, The Big Splash
One of the most famous paintings of the artist is his work called "Splash." The painting was painted in just two weeks. The artist wanted to convey the play of light and the color of water. Hockney's inspiration was Leonardo Da Vinci's drawing technique. The opportunity to show the viewer a moment that lasts only a few seconds captivated him, and the result paid off. The picture is unusual in that it conveys only an instant. This creation was sold in 2006 for almost 5.5 million dollars.
Other works of the artist
Hockney and many other equally famous works. For example, "Peter gets out ...". The picture depicts a young man getting out of the water. On canvas, the artist depicted his young friend and his muse. Originally it was just a photograph. The picture was written from a photograph taken by David Hockney himself. The artist’s works are very versatile. He uses various styles and directions, trying to convey the essence.
Often the artist 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 is this period that is characterized by sharper lines, an abundance of colors and light in paintings, and the most realistic portraits. What was the mystery of the era? For a long time no one could solve it.
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 photocopy machine for a more detailed study. David Hockney's secret knowledge was the use of mirrors by artists. Important inventions of that time were the pinhole camera, as well as the lucid camera. The image was projected onto the canvas, after which it was simply outlined.
He was able to prove his innocence by the example of many paintings by artists of that era. One of the confirmations of his discovery was the abundance of lefties 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, to correctly display the shades and highlights of the light, because when the artist moved, the image did not change.
Book and film 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 discovery.
The theory of secret knowledge has become the subject of much discussion and debate. 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 art 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 author of the film was David Hockney himself. The "secret title" in Russian comes out a little later.
Awards
In 1988, Hockney was awarded the Progress Medal by the Photographic Society, and in 1989, the artist became an Imperial Prize laureate.
In 1990, the artist wanted to be knighted, but he refused. He did not accept the offer to paint a portrait of the queen herself.
In 2012, Hockney presented a new surprise - he was offered to become a member of the British Order of Merit. A similar award goes to a great contribution to art, science, the development of the country's armed forces and other major achievements.
The head of the order is the monarch of Great Britain. Its members always include only 24 people from among those living at the moment. The decision to accept a new member rests with the queen.
The artist’s life at the moment
After a long period of life in America, David Hockney decides to return to his homeland, in Yorkshire, choosing the resort city of Bridlington. Here the Hockney family has a villa that previously belonged to his mother.
David Hockney continues to paint. The works painted during this period form the basis of the artist’s exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts. David Hockney is inspired by little things. A simple change of seasons has already become something long forgotten for him. After thirty long years of living in eternally hot California, it was unexpected and pleasant for the artist to feel the cool fresh air and see how the weather changes.
The views and tastes of Hockney
David continues to lead an active life. Hockney, as a dog lover, supports the course of dog hunting. He even speaks at demonstrations with the support of this sporting direction. An artist against the mandatory use of a seat belt in a car.
Hockney is a heavy smoker with 56 years of experience. He enjoys the moment without limiting himself. Hockney David is one of those who light a cigarette from the previous one. Naturally, he was unpleasantly surprised by the ban on smoking in pubs. As an active smoker, he advocates 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 constantly host exhibitions of works by David Hockney.