David Hockney
David Hockney
David Hockney is one of Britain’s most renowned contemporary artists. He excels in painting, drafting, printmaking and stage designing.
He is a member of the pop art movement and has lived in both London and Los Angeles. His artwork draws upon his life experiences, often featuring strong autobiographical elements.
Early Life and Education
David Hockney was born on July 9, 1937 in Bradford, England and is an acclaimed English painter, draftsman, printmaker and photographer.
He began his career in London before moving to Los Angeles during the 1960s. There, he painted swimming pools and created photo collages he called joiners.
His first joineders were inspired by a painting of a living room in Los Angeles. He also used this medium to create landscapes and portraits.
He received his training at the Bradford School of Art, which he entered after leaving National Service as a conscientious objector. Subsequently, he earned a postgraduate degree at the Royal College of Art in London and is widely regarded as one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century.
Professional Career
David Hockey’s professional hockey career spanned five years and 34 games in the National Hockey League. He earned his stripes with teams such as New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers.
He represented the United States at four international tournaments. He was part of the US team that earned bronze at the 1991 Winter Olympics and led them to gold at the 1998 World Junior Championships.
The 6-foot-2 forward holds dual citizenship in Canada and England, having spent most of his life in Alberta. At age two, he began skating competitively and soon after joined AAA Young Nationals minor hockey teams for six seasons.
Achievements and Honors
David Hockey has achieved great success as a painter, sculptor, printmaker and stage designer. His impressive portfolio showcases an innovative use of color within painting compositions; from iconic portraits to hyperrealistic landscapes and still lifes. His talent is widely recognized and appreciated around the world.
Aside from his art, he has earned numerous awards and recognition over the years. These include the First Annual Award of Achievement from Archives of American Art in Los Angeles, as well as Lorenzo de Medici Lifetime Career Award at Florence Biennale. Furthermore, he was given nine honorary degrees by colleges and universities around the world – cementing him as one of the most prolific British artists to date.
Personal Life
David Hockney is a British painter, draftsman, printmaker and stage designer who specializes in Pop art. His artworks are marked by economy of technique, an eye for light and an unflinching realism inspired by Pop art and photography.
He was born in 1937 in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England and grew up amid urban surroundings but found solace in nature’s beauty.
Hockney broke away from traditional academic painting in the 1960s and adopted an American abstract style of Modernism, drawing inspiration from American abstract artists. He stopped depicting figures from life and instead depicted them in a more abstract, suggestive, and gritty manner.
In 1964, Hockney relocated to California and his painterly practice took off. He began taking Polaroid photographs of the vibrant West Coast lifestyle, drawing inspiration from Los Angeles’ swimming pools.
Net Worth
David Hockney is a British artist and draughtsman who has been an integral figure in the British art scene for almost half a century. He holds numerous honours, including being made Royal Academician, being awarded with the Order of Merit, with his works featured in some renowned museums around the world.
He is one of the wealthiest artists in the world. His artwork encompasses various topics, such as abstract expressionism, Neo-Dada and Pop Art.
He is a renowned draughtsman and has collaborated with various musicians. Married to Jill Wagner, they have one daughter together named Army Gray.