Overview

This book, which accompanies the first major exhibition devoted to David Hockney's drawings inover 20 years,will explore Hockney as a draughtsman from the 1950s to now, with a focus on himself, his family and friends. From Ingres to the iPad -this book demonstrates the artist's ingenuity in portrait drawing with reference to both tradition and technology. David Hockney is recognised as one of the master draughtsmen of our times and a champion of the medium. This book will feature Hockney's work from the 1950s to now and focus on his depictions of himself and a smaller group of sitters close to him: his muse, Celia Birtwell; his mother, Laura Hockney; and his friends, the curator, Gregory Evans, and master printer, Maurice Payne. This book will examine not only how drawing is fundamental to Hockney's distinctive way of observing the world around him, but also how it has been a testing ground for ideas and modes of expression later played out in his paintings. From Old Masters to modern masters, from Holbein to Picasso, Hockney's portrait drawings reveal his admiration for his artistic predecessors and his continuous stylistic experimentation throughout his career. Alongside an in-depth essay from the curator, this book will feature an exclusive interview between author and curator, Sarah Howgate, and artist, David Hockney. In addition, an 'In Focus' essay by British Museum curator Isabel Seligman, will explore the relationship between Hockney, Ingres and Picasso drawings.

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9781855147973

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Reviews

as intimate as it gets, and barely a swimming pool in sight.--Alastair Sooke Telegraph From joyful sketches of old friends to a nude meeting with Picasso - when Hockney wields his pencil we see the undisguised truth--Jonathan Jones Guardian The history of Hockney and his lifelong life-drawing itch, pursued now over seven decades.--Michael Glover Hyperallergic

as intimate as it gets, and barely a swimming pool in sight--Robin Simon Daily Mail David Hockney: Drawing from Life, celebrates more than 60 years of the revered artist's intimate portraiture with texts by Sarah Howgate and Isabel Seligman. Featuring drawings from the 1950s to the present day, the book is a fascinating window into the artist's creative development and to his personal life, focusing on depictions of himself and those close to him.--Pheobe Gardner Wallpaper* Derives its poignant power from its loved ones and the complex nature of relationships.--Roberta Smith New York Times David Hockney: Drawing From Life [...] is about loved ones and the complex, constantly morphing nature of relationships and the people who forge them. [...] It shows the artist working, as usual, full steam ahead, in different scales and in about a dozen forms of drawing (pencil, ink, charcoal and so on) and printmaking (lithography, etchings and etchings with aquatint) as well as with composite Polaroids and an iPad. It is beyond ample as a showcase for Mr. Hockney's towering drawing gifts, openness to new technologies and his incessant work ethic...--Roberta Smith New York Times Hockney has always been a confidant draughtsman. Like most young artists, his subjects were himself, those close to him, and his immediate surroundings; domestic interiors and the local landscape. These interests have remained with him throughout his working life; he still draws on every available piece of paper and his creative mind never rests.--Nicholas Cullinan Esquire Over the course of 150 pieces, Drawing From Life draws us into Hockney's closest circle.--Jadie Stillwell Interview The octogenarian artist is making the most of uncertain times with a newly released book showcasing portraits of his family and dearest friends.--Janelle Zara Architectural Digest A stunning overview of [Hockney's] drawings from the late 1950s to the present day.--Ken Scrudato Blackbook A touching, intimate look at one of the nation's best artists.--Eddy Frankel Time Out London David Hockney Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery Shines Light on an Artist's Life--Chris Jenkins Arts and Collections The artist's dearest friends and family are the focus of an unusual and unmissable retrospective of works on paper--Jackie Wullschlager Financial Times The story of an artist in evolution.--Tabish Khan Londonist From joyful sketches of old friends to a nude meeting with Picasso - when Hockney wields his pencil we see the undisguised truth--Jonathan Jones Guardian The history of Hockney and his lifelong life-drawing itch, pursued now over seven decades.--Michael Glover Hyperallergic

Author Information

Sarah Howgate is Senior Curator of Contemporary Collections at the National Portrait Gallery. Her previous exhibitions and publications include David Hockney Portraits (2006), Lucian Freud Portraits (2012), Friendship Portraits: Chantel Joffe and Isabel Myserscough 2015), Gillian Wearing and Claude Cahun: Behind the Mask, Another Mask (2017) and Tacita Dean: PORTRAIT(2018). Isabel Seligman is the Bridget Riley Art Foundation Curator at the British Museum. Her previous exhibitions and publications include Lines of Thought: Drawing from Rembrandt to Now (2016) and Pushing Paper: Contemporary Drawing from 1970 to Now (2019).

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