David Hockney and the Artistry of Looking

On July 9, 2026, what would have been Hockney’s 89th birthday, Lightroom in London presented a series of special showings of Hockney’s critically acclaimed multimedia extravaganza, Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away). Audiences were guided by Hockney’s own voice through a cycle of six themed chapters—an autobiography of sorts, summing up his life’s work. Lightroom CEO Richard Slaney said: “I learned so much from him—about process, generosity, attention to detail—but most of all about how to truly look and the joy to be found in looking. We hope that much of this is captured in Bigger & Closer and are pleased to share it with audiences again for a special evening.”

Reflecting Hockney’s basic philosophy of the importance of drawing—he often said “drawing makes you see things clearer”—all proceeds from the Lightroom event were donated to the Royal Drawing School, a charity which Hockney supported.

Hockney was born the fourth of five children to a working-class family in Bradford, England. His talents were recognized during his studies at the Royal College of Art (RCA), and the first Hockney painting to enter the collection of the prestigious Tate Gallery was The First Marriage (A Marriage of Styles I) (1962). It is a bold and sophisticated double portrait of a wedding couple, melding a flat, Egyptian-style bride seen in profile, with a groom dressed in contemporary garb. The painting has stylistic elements akin to those seen in works by another great Brit, Francis Bacon (1909-1992). It was purchased in 1963, just one year after Hockney graduated from the RCA.

Hockney’s loyalties were divided between his English roots and his love of California. In 1964, lured by the year-round California sun and tolerance for an openly gay lifestyle, Hockney moved to Los Angeles, triggering a decades-long love affair that inspired a treasure trove of his most well-known images. Hockney once told Sotheby’s in an interview: “When I went to Los Angeles, it was really three times better than I thought it would be.” 

Friends, family, and romantic partners provided rich subject matter for Hockney throughout his career. His enigmatic 1972 acrylic painting Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) seems to capture all those California influences, but it was painted in his London studio from photographs he staged in Saint-Tropez. In 2018, the painting was sold for $90.3 million, cementing his place in history and making him, at the time, the most valuable living artist ever sold at auction. 

Hockney’s joie de vivre was as ubiquitous as the cigarette seen hanging from his lower lip that he often included in his many self-portraits. He was also a master of the double portrait. Among his most highly prized paintings is his first double portrait, Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy (1968), followed by Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy (1970) and George Lawson and Wayne Sleep (1972-5). Commenting on his love of portraiture, Hockney said, “Faces are going to be interesting until the end of time.” 

Alex Farquharson, Director of Tate Britain, spoke about the exhibitions honoring Hockney planned for 2027. “We will be working closely with David's team to realize the two projects he was preparing for next year: a major exhibition at Tate Britain, spanning seven decades of his work, and a multimedia installation in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, bringing to life his celebrated designs for opera sets. Following on from Tate Britain’s 2017 Hockney exhibition, the most visited in the institution’s history, it is such an honor to offer so many the chance to again experience his incredible artistry.”