50 Facts About David Hockney

Early Life and Education

David Hockney's journey to becoming one of the most influential artists began in humble surroundings. His early life and education played a crucial role in shaping his artistic vision.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on July 9, 1937, in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, Hockney grew up in a working-class family. His father, a conscientious objector during World War II, had a kind heart and romanticized the ideals of the Communist party in Russia.

2. Artistic Beginnings: Hockney showed a keen interest in art from an early age. To continue pursuing his passion, he deliberately failed his exams, as academically promising boys were forced to drop art as a subject in school.

3. Synesthesia: Hockney was born with synesthesia, a condition where he sees colors in response to musical stimuli. This unique gift influenced his set design work, where he would first listen to the musical score and then base his designs on the colors he saw.

4. Education: Hockney studied at the Bradford College of Art from 1953 to 1957 and later at the Royal College of Art in London from 1959 to 1962. He received a gold medal in the graduate competition at the Royal College of Art.

5. Royal College of Art Incident: During his final exam at the Royal College of Art, Hockney refused to write an essay and instead drew a satirical sketch of the diploma. This act led to the college changing its regulations and passing him.

Career Breakthroughs and Iconic Works

Hockney's career took off with his unique style and bold artistic choices. His works have left an indelible mark on the art world.

6. First Solo Show: Hockney's first solo show, held in 1963 at John Kasmin's gallery, was very successful. This marked the beginning of his professional career as an artist.

7. California Influence: In 1961, Hockney visited the United States for the first time. He returned in 1964 to teach at various universities, including Iowa, Colorado, and California. The intense glaring light and sleek “California modern” aesthetic had a profound influence on his work.

8. Iconic Works: Some of Hockney’s most famous works include A Bigger Splash (1967), depicting a swimming pool scene in Los Angeles, and Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (1972), which sold at Christie’s auction house for $90 million in 2018.

9. Portraiture: Hockney is known for his portraiture works, characterized by simplicity, boldness, and striking color schemes. His portraits often celebrate friends and acquaintances, rendering them in a way that suggests a deep appreciation for their unique personalities.

10. California Residences: Hockney has owned residences and studios in Bridlington and London as well as two residences in California. He has an office and stores his archives on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California.

Technological Innovation and Digital Art

Hockney's willingness to embrace new technologies has kept his work fresh and relevant. His digital art has challenged traditional notions of art creation.

11. Technological Innovation: In his later works, Hockney embraced technology and used iPads to create digital art. He exhibited his iPad-created art in galleries, challenging the notion of what it meant to create art.

12. Seasonal Themes: Hockney’s artworks often reflect seasons. For example, in his series “Four Seasons,” he depicts landscapes employing bright colors that reflect the season in which they were painted.

13. Water Inspiration: Living in California, Hockney was often inspired by water. This led him to paint some of his most famous works, including the “Swimming Pool” series, which depict different swimming pools in California.

14. LGBTQ Advocacy: Hockney is an openly gay artist who has advocated for the rights of the LGBTQ community. His art often reflects themes and characters inspired by LGBTQ culture, challenging dominant cultural norms.

15. Relationships and Friendships: Hockney met and started a long-term relationship with Peter Schlesinger, who also frequently acted as his model, from 1966 to 1971. He later began a relationship with John Fitzherbert, which lasted for 25 years.

Set Design and Synesthesia

Hockney's unique condition of synesthesia has significantly influenced his set design work, adding a vibrant dimension to his artistic repertoire.

16. Set Design Work: Hockney’s synesthesia influenced his set design work for ballet, opera, and theater productions. He would first listen to the musical score and then base his designs on the colors he saw.

17. Publications and Research: In 1976, Hockney published his autobiography. He also researched and wrote a book about the Old Masters, developing a theory that these artists made use of the camera far earlier than previously thought.

18. Exhibitions and Retrospectives: The 1990s were a very productive period for Hockney, with numerous retrospectives and exhibitions around the world. In 1991, he began a relationship with John Fitzherbert, which lasted for the next 25 years.

19. Grand Canyon Series: One of his most important large-scale works is A Closer Grand Canyon, completed in 1998. This series reflects his fascination with the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon.

20. Bridlington Residence: In 2002, Hockney moved to the Yorkshire seaside town of Bridlington. This move marked a return to his roots and provided him with a new source of inspiration for his art.

Auction Records and Artistic Versatility

Hockney's works have fetched record prices at auctions, and his versatility across various mediums has solidified his status as a legendary artist.

21. Lucian Freud Portrait: In 2002, Hockney sat for 120 hours for a portrait painted by Lucian Freud. In return, Freud sat for four hours for him, highlighting their mutual respect and admiration for each other’s work.

22. Auction Records: Hockney’s Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) sold at Christie’s auction house in New York City for $90 million in 2018, becoming the most expensive artwork by a living artist sold at auction at that time.

23. Jeff Koons Record: However, this record was short-lived as Jeff Koons reclaimed the honor by selling his Rabbit for more than $91 million at Christie’s in New York in 2019.

24. Artistic Versatility: Hockney is not only a painter but also a draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer, and photographer. His versatility in various artistic mediums has made him a renowned figure in the art world.

25. Pop Art Movement: As an important contributor to the Pop Art movement of the 1960s, Hockney is considered one of the most influential British artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. His work often incorporated elements of everyday life and popular culture.

Personal Life and Relationships

Hockney's personal life, including his relationships and friendships, has deeply influenced his art and outlook on life.

26. California Modern Aesthetic: The California modern aesthetic had a profound influence on Hockney’s work. The sleek lines, bright colors, and modern architecture of Los Angeles inspired many of his iconic works.

27. Friendship with Christopher Isherwood: During his time in Los Angeles, Hockney met leading intellectual and artistic figures, including Christopher Isherwood. This friendship had a significant impact on his artistic development and personal life.

28. Ossie Clarke Friendship: Hockney also struck up a close friendship with designer Ossie Clarke. He was best man at Clarke’s wedding to Celia Birtwell, whom he would later paint and draw many portraits of.

29. Grand Canyon Travels: Hockney traveled extensively around the US and Europe with Ossie Clarke. Their travels inspired many of his works, including A Closer Grand Canyon series.

30. Teaching Career: Hockney taught at various universities, including Berkeley and UCLA. His teaching career not only provided him with financial stability but also allowed him to engage with different artistic communities.

Experimentation and Iconoclasm

Hockney's willingness to experiment and challenge norms has made him a trailblazer in the art world.

31. Set Design Influence: While Hockney’s synesthesia didn’t play much of a role in most of his artmaking, it significantly influenced his set design work. He would first listen to the musical score for each production and then base his designs on the colors he saw.

32. Experimentation and Iconoclasm: During the ‘swinging 60s’ in California, Hockney embraced the mood of experimentation, exploration, and iconoclasm. At a time when homosexuality was still illegal in the U.S. and Britain, Hockney’s open love affairs and unapologetic attitude attracted significant attention from newspapers and magazines.

33. Relationship with Peter Schlesinger: Hockney’s relationship with Peter Schlesinger lasted from 1966 to 1971. Schlesinger frequently acted as his model, and their relationship was a significant part of Hockney’s life during this period.

34. Unconventional Lifestyle: Hockney’s unconventional lifestyle, including his experimentation with drugs during the 1960s, has been well-documented. He once commented, “you can't have a smoke-free bohemia. You can't have a drug-free bohemia. You can't have a drink-free bohemia.”

35. Parisian Period: In 1973, Hockney moved to Paris, where he lived until 1975. This period marked a significant shift in his artistic style and personal life.

Retrospectives and Autobiography

Hockney's retrospectives and autobiography have provided deep insights into his life and work, solidifying his legacy.

36. Retrospective Exhibitions: By the mid-1970s, Hockney was famous. A large traveling retrospective of his work was held in 1974, and a film about him directed by Jack Hazan was released the same year.

37. Autobiography Publication: In 1976, Hockney published his autobiography. This publication provided insight into his life, artistic journey, and personal struggles.

38. Old Masters Research: From 2000-01, Hockney researched and wrote a book about the Old Masters. He developed a theory that these artists made use of the camera far earlier than previously thought. For his research, he assembled photocopies of Old Master paintings on a huge wall in his LA studio.

39. Photocopy Wall: The photocopy wall in Hockney’s LA studio was a significant part of his research. It showcased his theory that Old Master artists used the camera earlier than believed, challenging traditional art historical narratives.

40. Art Historical Impact: Hockney’s theory about the use of cameras by Old Master artists met with significant resistance initially but has gained widespread support from the art history community. His work continues to influence contemporary art historical discourse.

Digital Art and Knighthood

Hockney's embrace of digital art and his stance on knighthood reflect his innovative spirit and personal values.

41. Digital Art Exhibition: In 2010, Hockney held an exhibition in Paris showcasing his art made entirely on iPads. To emphasize the digital nature of the pieces, his art was also exhibited digitally on large screens to mimic the iPad itself.

42. iPad Art: Hockney’s use of iPads to create digital art challenged traditional notions of what it means to create art. His iPad-created pieces were exhibited in galleries, highlighting the versatility and innovation in modern art.

43. Knighthood Decline: In 1990, Hockney was offered knighthood but declined. He stated that he doesn’t value prizes of any sort and values his friends more.

Enduring Influence and Legacy

David Hockney's influence on the art world is profound and enduring. His work continues to inspire and challenge.

44. Artistic Legacy: David Hockney’s artistic legacy is profound. He has inspired generations of artists with his unique style, versatility, and innovative approach to art. His contributions to the Pop Art movement and beyond have cemented his place as one of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

45. Public Perception: Despite his fame and influence, Hockney remains humble and unassuming. He continues to create art that is both visually striking and deeply personal, reflecting his unique perspective on the world.

46. Synesthetic Influence: While synesthesia didn’t play much of a role in most of his artmaking, it significantly influenced his set design work. This unique gift allowed him to see colors as a response to musical stimuli, which he incorporated into his designs.

47. Set Design Contributions: Hockney’s contributions to set design are significant. His work in this field reflects his synesthetic abilities and his ability to translate musical scores into visual elements.

48. Theatrical Collaborations: Hockney has collaborated with various theatrical productions, designing sets and costumes for ballet, opera, and theater. His work in this field has been highly acclaimed and has contributed to his artistic versatility.

49. Artistic Evolution: Throughout his career, Hockney has evolved as an artist. From his early days as a Pop Art icon to his later works using iPads, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of what art can be.

50. Enduring Influence: David Hockney’s influence extends beyond the art world. His work has inspired countless artists, designers, and creatives. His legacy continues to shape contemporary art and culture, ensuring that his name remains synonymous with innovation and creativity.

David Hockney's Lasting Impact

David Hockney's influence on the art world is undeniable. From his early days in Bradford to his iconic works in California, Hockney has consistently pushed artistic boundaries. His use of bold colors, innovative techniques, and embrace of technology, like creating art on iPads, showcases his versatility. Hockney's openness about his sexuality and his advocacy for LGBTQ rights also highlight his role as a cultural icon. His works, such as A Bigger Splash and Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), remain celebrated and influential. Hockney's unique perspective, shaped by his synesthesia, has enriched his set designs and paintings. His legacy continues to inspire artists and art lovers alike, ensuring his place in art history. David Hockney's journey is a testament to creativity, resilience, and the power of art to transcend boundaries.