David Hockney By David Hockney – Signed By The Artist To The Title Page

Hockney, David Edited by Stangos, Nikos

£495.00

Availability: In stock

Product Description

David Hockney By David Hockney – Signed By The Artist To The Title Page

Author: David Hockney Edited by Nikos Stangos
Price: £495
Publisher: Thames & Hudson, London, UK
Edition: First edition
Publication Date: 1976
Format: Original cloth gilt. Dustwrapper
Condition: Good in very good plus dustwrapper
Pages: 312

Description:

A detailed and well-illustrated monograph on his work by the artist himself. Binding nice and tight. Newspaper cuttings pasted to the half-title and rear endpapers along with a postcard. Some foxing to the prelims, title page and rear endpapers  otherwise pages nice and clean. A good, at least, tight, clean copy in very good plus, slightly creased and rubbed dustwrapper. Signed to the title page in red and blue pens by David Hockney. A removable post-it note attached to the front paste-down states: ‘SIGNED, AT MY REQUEST, for me at some function in a gallery… D.H. was very friendly and nice about my request… I remember that he held both the red and blue pens together in one hand. I have been an admirer since seeing his work in Kasmin’s Bond St Gallery.’ Overall a very good copy. Signed first editions of this title are becoming scarce.

Hockney By Hockney Hockney: A Short Description

“Hockney by Hockney” (1976) is an autobiographical book by David Hockney, in which the artist reflects on his own life and work. This book offers an intimate look at Hockney’s personal and artistic journey up to that point in his career. It is filled with illustrations of his paintings, sketches, and photographs, alongside his commentary, giving readers insight into his creative process and the ideas behind his art.

Key Aspects of “Hockney by Hockney”:

  1. Autobiographical Perspective:
    • The book is structured as a personal reflection by Hockney on his early life, his time as a student, and his rise to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s.
    • He discusses his influences, travels, and the development of his artistic style, which at the time was becoming known for its vibrant colour and innovative compositions.
  2. Art and Life:
    • Hockney writes about his early years growing up in Bradford, his education at the Royal College of Art, and his subsequent move to Los Angeles, which became a central influence on his art.
    • His experiences in California, with its bright light and suburban lifestyle, deeply influenced his work, particularly his famous series of swimming pool paintings.
  3. Insights into His Major Works:
    • Hockney provides commentary on many of his key works from the 1960s and 1970s, including his Pop Art pieces, his exploration of portraiture, and his iconic pool paintings such as “A Bigger Splash”.
    • His insights shed light on his technique, how he approached subjects like water and light, and his fascination with the relationship between art, space, and perspective.
  4. Illustrated with Hockney’s Art:
    • The book is richly illustrated with Hockney’s work, including paintings, drawings, and photographs, many of which are accompanied by his explanations. This visual element makes it a valuable resource for understanding his creative process.
  5. A Personal Take on the Art World:
    • Hockney also provides his thoughts on the art world at the time, reflecting on his experiences in Britain and the United States. His witty and candid writing makes it more than just an art book; it’s a reflection of his unique personality.

Legacy:

“Hockney by Hockney” remains an important book for those interested in understanding David Hockney’s early career and his perspective on his work. It offers a blend of autobiography, artistic reflection, and personal philosophy, and it continues to be a key text for fans of Hockney and students of contemporary art.

David Hockney: A Short Biography

David Hockney (born July 9, 1937) is a highly influential British artist known for his contributions to painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and digital art. He is considered one of the most prominent figures in contemporary art and is associated with the Pop Art movement of the 1960s, though his work transcends simple categorization. Hockney’s career has spanned over six decades, and he remains an active and innovative force in the art world.

Key Aspects of David Hockney’s Life and Work:

  1. Early Life and Education:
    • Born in Bradford, England, Hockney showed artistic talent from an early age. He attended the Bradford College of Art and later studied at the prestigious Royal College of Art in London, where he was a contemporary of artists like Peter Blake.
    • Hockney quickly gained attention for his bold use of colour and unique approach to both figurative and abstract art.
  2. Pop Art and Iconic Works:
    • While Hockney is often linked with Pop Art, his work is more complex, blending personal expression with elements of pop culture, abstraction, and realism.
    • “A Bigger Splash” (1967) is one of his most famous paintings and a hallmark of his work from the 1960s. It depicts a Californian swimming pool with a splash of water frozen in time, showcasing his interest in light, space, and colour.
    • Another well-known piece is “Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy” (1971), a double portrait of Hockney’s friends, which demonstrates his skill in portraiture and his fascination with domestic life.
  3. California and Swimming Pools:
    • Hockney moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s, where the bright light, suburban lifestyle, and swimming pools became a key source of inspiration for his work. His series of pool paintings, including A Bigger Splash, became iconic images of modern American life.
    • The pool motif also allowed Hockney to explore his fascination with water, transparency, and reflections, combining technical precision with personal memories and experiences.
  4. Portraiture:
    • Hockney is widely regarded for his portraiture, capturing friends, family, and famous figures with remarkable intimacy and detail. His portraits often have a psychological depth, presenting not just the physical appearance but also a sense of the sitter’s inner life.
    • Notable portraits include his famous double portraits like “American Collectors (Fred and Marcia Weisman)” (1968) and his many depictions of his mother and close friends.
  5. Innovations in Photography and Digital Art:
    • In the 1980s, Hockney became interested in photography, particularly creating “joiners” — collages of Polaroid photographs arranged to form a single image. These works explored the concept of time and multiple perspectives, breaking away from traditional single-point perspective.
    • In recent years, Hockney has embraced digital technology, creating art on iPads and iPhones. His digital works have been exhibited widely, and he sees this technology as a way to keep pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
  6. Yorkshire Landscapes:
    • In the 2000s, Hockney returned to his native Yorkshire and began creating large-scale landscapes of the English countryside. Works like “Bigger Trees Near Warter” (2007) were composed of multiple panels and reflected his ongoing interest in space, perspective, and the natural world.
    • His landscapes, created with both traditional media and digital tools, reflect his versatility and continuing evolution as an artist.
  7. Later Work and Recognition:
    • Hockney’s later works, including large-scale paintings and immersive installations, continue to explore themes of perception, technology, and memory. His 2012 exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, “A Bigger Picture”, was a major retrospective that included many of his Yorkshire landscapes.
    • In 2018, Hockney’s painting “Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)” sold at auction for $90.3 million, making him one of the most valuable living artists at the time.
  8. Artistic Legacy:
    • Hockney is celebrated as a modern master, known for his vibrant use of colour, innovative techniques, and commitment to exploring new ideas and mediums.
    • He has been the subject of numerous retrospectives at major institutions, including the Tate Britain, the Royal Academy, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
    • In 2011, he was appointed a member of the Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his services to art.

Artistic Style:

David Hockney’s style is characterised by:

  • Bold colours and bright, flat surfaces.
  • A focus on everyday subjects, like swimming pools, landscapes, and portraits.
  • Experimentation with perspective, challenging traditional linear viewpoints, especially in his photographic and digital works.
  • The use of technology, from Polaroid collages to iPad drawings, making him a pioneer in digital art.

Hockney’s relentless curiosity and innovation, combined with his mastery of traditional techniques, make him one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. His works continue to inspire and push the boundaries of contemporary art.

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