“I think it’s an absolutely terrific exhibition. It is the first real exhibition about my iPad and iPhone works. This is the first time I’ve done it on this scale. This exhibition is really a marvelous review of the last ten years of my work.
“I’ve been able to practice the iPad a lot in the last few years. I’ve been using the iPad since it came out and I’ve spent a lot of time working on it. It took some time to figure out how the brushstrokes worked in this new technology and I’ve really loved mastering it.
“I think these new technologies are a great new medium to work on, but what I really love about the iPad is that it’s always ready. It’s instant. I can just pick it up, without preparing any paints. I drew the sun coming up whilst I was living in Bridlington because I could just pick up the iPad and draw it in the dark.” – David Hockney, 10 November, 2016
In a rare Australian appearance, Britain’s greatest living artist David Hockney unveiled his world-premiere exhibition ‘David Hockney: Current’ at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne on Thursday 10 November, 2016.
The exhibition features more than 1200 works from the past decade of his career, including world-premiere new works embracing new technologies, such as the iPad and iPhone. These include arresting self-portraits created on the iPad, stunning landscapes of his native Yorkshire and dramatic scenes of Yosemite National Park, hundreds of which are presented both on screens and as prints – some at almost 4m tall.
The exhibition reveals two world premiere new works including one recently completed video work focusing on his recent iPad drawing practice as well as an immersive room installation, 4 blue stools, a digitally constructed image of Hockney’s Hollywood Hills studio presented as floor-to-ceiling wallpaper with specially-created stools and chairs.
‘David Hockney: Current’ also features a 60-metre long portrait hall which houses Hockney’s recent body of painting work titled ‘82 portraits and 1 Still Life’ depicting the artist’s family, friends and notable subjects including Barry Humphries, Frank Gehry, John Baldessari and Hockney’s Sydney-based brother, John Hockney.
National Gallery of Victoria
Until 13 March, 2017
Melbourne
Information courtesy National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
