David Hockney: Living in Colour
Halcyon
10th October, 2024 – 31st December, 2024
148 New Bond Street
London
W1S 2TR
Halcyon is proud to present one of the world’s largest collections of graphics by David Hockney at 148 New Bond Street. “Living in Colour,” which consists of more than 150 works, is also open at its gallery in Harrods. Spanning six decades of his illustrious career, the works date from 1961 to 2018 and include his iconic pool images, self-portraits, portraits of friends, still lifes, and landscapes.
Hockney’s power lies in his virtuosity as a draftsman and colorist, and his appreciation for the everyday. He paints the world around him with bright, bold colors and a restless desire to experiment, epitomizing American modernist Philip Guston’s definition of art as “serious play.”
David Hockney
Image courtesy of Halcyon
As an artist, Hockney has always embraced the latest technological innovations. In the 1980s, he harnessed photocopy machines as part of his practice, and more recently, the iPad, which he uses to capture the world as he sees it — through the technicolor guise of the digital age. Visitors will discover various iPad drawings, providing rich insight into his unique exploration of this new medium.
“Living in Colour” also showcases Hockney’s work in the medium of photographic collage, an area of his oeuvre that is sometimes overlooked but in which he was pioneering. In these works, he experimented with unique perspectives and compositions. The exhibition offers a window into Hockney’s personal life: views of his studios, household objects, portraits of friends, family, and his beloved dachshunds — documenting his life and travels from Yorkshire to California.
David Hockney
Image courtesy of Halcyon
Two figures that Hockney has frequently captured are Gregory Evans, his former lover, and Celia Birtwell, a celebrated textile designer and lifelong friend. The exhibition features two exceptional portraits of these individuals. These large-scale, vibrant, and idiosyncratic portraits are from the “Moving Focus” series (1984–1987), perhaps his most ambitious and experimental print output. Through this body of work, Hockney explored unconventional methods of articulating space, as if the subject is captured from multiple viewpoints, rendering his sitters with an electric feeling of dynamism. These works demonstrate his masterful use of color and express the profound influence of Pablo Picasso on his work.
Hockney acknowledges this influence in two pieces created in 1973, which hang in the exhibition: “The Student, Homage to Picasso” and “Artist and Model,” where the artist represents himself confronting his idol, the pioneer of cubism. Another major influence in Hockney’s career is Vincent van Gogh, whom he acknowledges throughout his oeuvre, particularly in “Van Gogh Chair” (1998). This piece was created as a direct homage to the post-impressionist, who painted the same subject exactly 100 years earlier. “Van Gogh’s Chair with Pipe” (1888) is currently on display at the National Gallery in London.
Hockney’s pool images are some of the most memorable works of the 20th century — visitors will find several on display. These iridescent pools, with their sharp geometry, evoke an irresistible temptation to dive in. Created while living in Los Angeles, these works symbolize the exuberance and freedom associated with the city.
David Hockney
Image courtesy of Halcyon
Paul Green, President and founder of Halcyon, exclaimed:“It is a privilege to host an exhibition dedicated to one of the most important British artists of the 20th century — someone who made his mark in the 60s and is still just as relevant today. This is a unique opportunity to tell his story and make his work accessible to a wide audience.”
Kate Brown, Creative Director at Halcyon, added:“It has been incredible to work with such a comprehensive collection of Hockney’s work. His unique approach to printmaking and joyful spirit resonate throughout this exhibition, and I am delighted to share it at our gallery at 148 New Bond Street.”
David Hockney’s work is celebrated globally and exhibited in prestigious museums, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and Tate Britain in London.
David Hockney: Living in Colour is open now at Halcyon’s flagship space at 148 New Bond Street and at Harrods.
©2024 Halcyon
Art Plugged is a contemporary platform inspired by a relationship with the broader arts communities. We provide our audience with curated insight into the world of art, from exhibitions to artist interviews and more.
