- Editorial:
- ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS
- Materia
- Arts and crafts
- ISBN:
- 978-1-907533-23-5
DAVID HOCKNEY: A YORKSHIRE SKETCHBOOK
HOCKNEY, DAVID
Two homes, two collections of vistas, and an enhanced appreciation of light brings this delightful sketchbook of David Hockney's impressions of his birthplace Yorkshire to life. Most of us think of the weather and atmosphere of England as being rather dark and glum and damp, but likely due to the fact that Hockney has spent considerable years in Los Angeles, California has informed his eyes of a different quality of light. And perhaps one of the reasons this collection of sketches is so refreshing to California eyes is the utter simplicity of the landscapes here painted. While David Hockney lives in California he is impressed with the quality of light, constantly testing it in his paintings of the canyons and shores of Los Angeles and environs. Now that he is back in his native England he has emerged as a landscape artist as fine as any painting today. He is less concern with photorealism in the way that brilliant landscape artist Martin Greenland paints: he is more interested in the influence of shapes and relationships of plants, trees, paths, skies and clouds - his way of illuminating what we see everyday in a fresh manner that is most arresting.
The world to this point has lauded David Hockney as a figurative artist and his reputation as such will remain intact. But is refreshing to see how this artists can take on any subject - through paint and paper and canvas, print, photomontage, sketch - and each new path leads us to a deeper appreciation of his gifts. This book is beautifully designed and the commentaries are additive instead of 'compulsory'. For every lover of contemporary art this book is a necessary addition to the library. Grady Harp, March 12
