David Hockney: biography and information

David Hockney is one of the founders of pop art, an artist, photographer, stage designer, graphic artist. Since 2012, the holder of the British Order of Merit. He is called the 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 comes from the small English town of Bradford, which is located in the county of West Yorkshire. His family was of strict morals. The boy's parents greatly respected the church traditions. Despite this, the young David had a temper tantrum and rebellious. From a young age, the boy was interested in drawing. The development of the hobby was contributed by David's father - Ken Hockney. He worked as an accountant, but interest in painting he had appeared long enough 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 talent of the young man revealed later. However, at that time, David's rebellious nature was actively manifested. For graduation from the institute, it was required to write a thesis project, but the young artist refused to do it. The administration of the educational institution threatened him with a non-extradition diploma. In response to the threat Hockney draws a sketch called "Thesis work." Despite the extravagance of the young man, the administration of the institute went to meet him and handed him a diploma about completing the training.

Service

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

New way of life

At the same time, the young man gets acquainted with the famous American artist R. Chita, visits many exhibitions, gets acquainted with the works of Picasso. Pictures of the famous artist made an impression on David, he visited the exhibition of his works eight times.

In 1961, David Hockney is a participant in the 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

After settling in New York, David Hockney gets to know 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 the big city, inspire the young man to write a series of engravings ("The Rise of a Young Rake"). The main acting hero of the paintings was a young man - a provincial, not yet experienced in the modern world of possibilities.

The first large order

David's work was a success, and he receives the first major order. He needed to create a set of scenery for the opera for the Glinburn festival, which was 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 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 was already giving lectures at American universities.

In 1968, the first exhibition of the artist was held. The 70's and 80's are going on for Hockney in intensive 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 gets the name "David Hockney". After 16 years, the artist releases another biography of his own, titled "This is how I see it."

David Hockney - photographer

At the same time, the young man begins to photograph and succeeds in this. Unusual look of the artist allows you to create even in small photographs of the camera "Polaroid".

In 1982, an exhibition of photographs of Hockney took place in Paris. At the same time, he releases a book (David Hockney: photos). All this brings him the glory of a beautiful, talented photographer, one of the leading masters of his time.

80-ies Hockney spent doing the main thing of his life - painting. During this period, computer innovations, faxes, and photocopiers are beginning 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 as in the traditional manner, and there are unusual and experimental ways of writing paintings.

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

The artist does not write to order, preferring to work for friends, relatives and close acquaintances. This also affects his paintings. He not only beautifully depicts the external appearance of people, he shows their inner world.

David Hockney, "The Big Bang"

One of the most famous paintings of the artist is his work called "Splash". The picture was written in just two weeks. The artist wanted to convey the game of light and color of water. The inspiration of Hockney was the drawing technique of Leonardo da Vinci. The ability to show the viewer a moment that lasts only a few seconds has captivated him, and the result has justified itself. The picture is unusual in that it transmits only a moment. This creation was sold in 2006 for almost 5.5 million dollars.

Other works of the artist

A lot of Hockney and other equally famous works. For example, "Peter is chosen ...". The picture depicts a young man emerging from the water. On canvas, the artist painted his young friend and his muse. Originally it was just a picture. The painting was written with a photograph taken by David Hockney himself. The artist's works are very versatile. He uses different styles and directions, trying to convey the essence.

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

Secret knowledge

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

One day David Hockney decided to look at the works of one of the artists of that time through a magnifying glass, and later printed on their photocopier for more detailed study. The secret knowledge of David Hockney was the use of mirrors by the artists. Important inventions of the time were a camera obscura, as well as a camera of lucida. The image was projected onto the canvas, after which it was simply drawn.

His rightness, he was able to prove 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, in the mirror everything is reflected in an inverted form).

The use of a mirror made it possible to draw more precise lines, depict the shades and glare of the light correctly, 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 became co-author of the book devoted to 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 art technique - 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. "Secret title" in Russian comes out somewhat later.

Awards

In 1988, Hockney was awarded a photographic society medal of progress, and in 1989 the artist became a laureate of the Imperial Prize.

In 1990, the artist wanted to be knighted, but he refused. He did not accept the proposal to paint a portrait of the queen herself.

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

The monarch of Great Britain heads the order. The number of its members is always only 24 people, from among those who live at the moment. The decision to accept a new member remains with the queen.

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 town of Bridlington. Here the Hockney family has a villa that was formerly owned by his mother.

David Hockney continues to draw. The works painted during this period form the basis of the artist's exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts. David Hockney inspires little things. A simple change of seasons has already become for him something long forgotten. After a long thirty years of life in the ever hot California feel the cool fresh air and see how the weather changes, it was unexpected and pleasant for the artist.

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 supporting this sporting direction. The artist is against the mandatory use of a safety belt in the car.

Hockney is an avid smoker who has 56 years of experience. He enjoys the moment without limiting himself. Hockney David is one of those who lit a cigarette from the previous one. Naturally, he was unpleasantly surprised at the introduction of a ban on smoking in pubs. As an active smoker, he advocates the cancellation of this decision.

The artist is negative about the military actions in Iraq and expresses his opinion on the unification of Europe.

Hockney continues to create in his usual manner. His paintings continue to enjoy tremendous success and there are constant exhibitions of works by David Hockney.