Become informed & inspired by artists whose works advanced Western Art History.
Gift of David Hockney, 13 April 2007
David Hockney, Photo:
Richard Schmidt Collection
The Postmodern era begins around the end of World War II, in 1945, and The Vietnam War: The Cold War, ‘55-’75. In the USA political and racial turmoil contribute to the reasons why Martin Luther King, President John F. Kennedy, and his brother Senator Robert F. Kennedy are assassinated. People learn to exchange naivety for harsh reality. Postmodern painting reflects trained artists’ responses. No longer dependent upon classical teachings, some artists begin to incorporate image-based commercial products and services. This collection of paintings illustrates the unleashing of artistic freedom.
David Hockney (1937 -) describes his family as radical working class from the small town of Bradford, England - his birthplace. Hockney’s parents put a high priority on education and somewhat less on drinking and smoking.
David graduates from the Royal College of Art with a gold medal for his achievements. In 1961, the painter spreads his wings socializing with Andy Warhol and others, in the New York art scene. While painting and exhibiting, he goes on to teach in Universities.
His talent for set and costume design is evident in opera and ballet productions. The artist still maintains a home, in Los Angeles, close to the movie industry.
Fast forward to the new iPad which becomes a quick, fun way to send sketches of flowers to friends as gifts. Eventually, the use of digital photography leads to enormous masterpieces. Hockney speaks about his life, and his use of the Apple iPad.
Tate Britain is among the first to buy Hockney’s paintings, in the early 60s, when he is emerging as one of Britain’s major talents. Believing an artist’s “duty” is to give back to public institutions, Hockney donates his largest painting to Tate.
Postmodern era. Neorealist movement (1980 – present). Just as the Industrial Revolution marks the onset of the Industrial Age, the Information Age is the forerunner of the Digital Revolution. The phenomenon creates a knowledge-based society surrounded by a high-tech global economy.
Among Neorealists, at the end of the 20th century, the reigning ideology of critical debate claims there’s no single, objective set of values or perspectives, but many.
American critic, Dave Hickey, argues for a “return to beauty in art.” As it happens, the Neorealists actually become more realistic.
“Bigger Trees Near Warter” combines the tradition of beauty with digital technology. Now we can look forward to Mr. Hockney creating even more beautiful art in less time to satisfy apprehensive souls. Thus, more artists will follow the leader.
For a video installation in 2012, entitled, “The Big Picture” at the Royal Academy, in London, Hockney requires a number of high-definition digital cameras mounted on a jeep. They are driven down his favorite roads and lanes around Woldgate through the changing seasons. The result is a Blockbuster exhibition for The Arrival of Spring.
Go on to Describe, Analyze, Interpret & Conclude. Contact me for help.
Bigger Trees Near Warter (Tate. Photography, 2007. Oil on 50 canvases (36 x 48 in. each); 180 x 480 in. overall); (12 x 4 m).
The country scene is near Hockney’s home in Yorkshire, England. Trees here are grown close together and periodically cut back to ground level to stimulate growth and provide firewood or timber.
Outside, Hockney sketches a grid of the entire composition to guide the process and limit the number of canvases to be worked, at one time. He uses the typical easel, oil paints, brushes and a few canvases, placed in front of the subject.
You can look over Hockney’s shoulder as he makes preliminary sketches for Bigger Trees Near Warter, in this video. He scratches quickly with charcoal pencils in a small sketchbook, on the hood of a Toyota van parked roadside. It appears to be a chilly day.
In his studio, Hockney combines strong, clear colors with a Neorealist style, and digital photography to scale-up their size.
