Hockney: Printmaker

About

Marking the 60th anniversary of David Hockney's prolific career as a printmaker this exhibition will present over 60 works by the Yorkshire born artist, charting a print career which began in 1954. It was a career furthered almost by accident when he discovered that the printmaking department at London's Royal College of Art gave out free materials; a boon for the impoverished, working class student. Focusing on Hockney's two main print techniques etching and lithography the exhibition, curated by Richard Lloyd, Head of Prints at Christie's, gives an informative, enlightening and entertaining overview of the artist's graphic career to date, while revealing the thought processes and technical expertise underlying the works. The show includes well known works such as A Rake's Progress Hockney's first major etching project modelled on William Hogarth's eponymous set of prints; his Weather series and Swimming Pool prints. The show will also comprise portraits of some of Hockney's famous sitters and friends, including his muse, the fashion designer Celia Birtwell. Later works will feature a selection of prints created using photocopiers, plus examples of his computer drawings including Rain on the Studio Window a forerunner to his celebrated iPad works.