As David Hockney traded in LA's glamour for Yorkshire's rolling hills, it sparked a creative explosion that left fans of art and history pinching themselves – was this really the same artist behind those iconic 20th-century masterpieces? The 'glorious reawakening' of his career was nothing short of breathtaking, with a new chapter of artistic output as vibrant as it is profound.
Paris's major retrospective, 'David Hockney 25', held last April, was the perfect showcase for this remarkable evolution. With Hockney at the helm, the exhibition boldly asserted that his iPad paintings of the Normandy garden and Yorkshire landscapes are not only on par with but arguably surpass his earlier works, like those show-stopping swimming pools and portraits from his London and LA days.
Far from marking a slowing down, Hockney's shift in focus was a deliberate stride into the unknown. He abandoned the excesses of his 20th-century persona for a more measured pace, immersing himself in art history and theories of perspective – a passion that came to the fore during a private visit to the National Gallery, where he discussed his groundbreaking book 'Secret Knowledge'. In this seminal work, he posited that Old Masters like Caravaggio might have used optical devices such as the camera obscura, a theory he's championed with unbridled enthusiasm.
Bridlington, Yorkshire, became Hockney's artistic haven. He transformed an upstairs bedroom in his old-fashioned house into a studio, though much of his work was created al fresco, 'en plein air', capturing the ever-changing light and seasons of Britain's countryside – a technique that echoes the Impressionists' approach.
This rebirth wasn't just artistic; it marked a personal transformation too. Hockney hung up his ballet and opera design hat due to increasing deafness, and traded in his signature blonde locks for a distinguished grey coiffure. This new look signalled a shift from the public persona of his youth to an artist more concerned with exploring the very fabric of art, landscape, and perception.
Exhibitions like 'David Hockney 25' are testament to the enduring power of his later work, cementing his status as a master innovator who continues to challenge perceptions throughout his remarkable career.