The NGV will present a major solo exhibition of one of the most influential artists of the past century, David Hockney, opening 11 November 2016 at NGV International. The exhibition, curated by the NGV in collaboration with David Hockney and his studio, will feature more than 700 works from the past decade of the artist’s career – some new and many never-before- seen in Australia – including paintings, digital drawings, photography and video works.
Exhibition highlights include more than 600 extraordinary and sometimes animated, iPad digital drawings of still life compositions, self-portraits and large-scale landscapes including scenes of Yosemite National Park.
Another highlight is The Four Seasons, Woldgate Woods, a breath-taking and immersive video work showcasing the changing landscape of Hockney’s native Yorkshire, each season comprised of nine high-definition screens. A dedicated 35-metre long gallery lined with more than 80 recently painted acrylic portrait paintings of the artist’s family, friends and notable subjects including artists John Baldessari and Barry Humphries will also be a major highlight.
Arguably Britain’s greatest living contemporary artist, David Hockney, 78, today works prolifically as a painter, also experimenting and mastering new technologies, producing thousands of drawings and works created on iPhone, iPad and in video. The artist will create a number of new works for the exhibition, which will be exhibited for the first Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV said: ‘It is a privilege to collaborate with David Hockney, one of the world’s most celebrated and truly innovative artists, to develop this exhibition which features dynamic new works and highlights of his oeuvre from the past decade. His recent use of cutting-edge technology will provide an immersive experience for visitors and reveal the mastery and skill behind his ever-evolving practice.’
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said: ‘Presenting the work of the illustrious artist David Hockney is yet another coup for the NGV and presents an unprecedented opportunity for Victorians and all visitors to the state to experience the work of one of the world’s greatest living artists. It will no doubt be another must-see event on Victoria’s cultural calendar in 2016.’
Other highlights of the exhibition include Bigger Trees Near Warter, Hockney’s largest painting comprised of fifty oil on canvas panels, and the centrepiece of Hockney’s hugely popular exhibition Bigger Picture at the Royal Academy, London and now owned by the Tate. Transforming the gallery, the three remaining walls of this space will display 1:1 digital versions of the same work and it will be the first time that this major work has been exhibited in Australia.
Hockney’s continued investigation into multi-point perspective will be represented by The Jugglers, an eighteen screen, twenty-two minute video that depicts the artist in a room of jugglers, injecting Hockney’s signature playfulness into the exhibition. Again utilising technology to reveal a study in perspective, Hockney’s Seven Yorkshire Landscapes is a 12 minute multi-viewpoint video displayed on 18 tiled, 55-inch monitors which monumentally showcases the extraordinary landscape.
David Hockney will be on display at NGV International from 11 November 2016 – 13 March 2017. Open daily,
Tickets on sale from ngv.vic.gov.au. Adult $26 | Concession $23.50 | Child (5-15 years) $10 | Family $65
