Notes

14 artist’s proof and an edition of 54. Printed by James Reid and Robert Meyer.

‘In Celia Looks, 1980, Hockney further reduces Celia’s likeness to essential lines. Depicted in profile, with her hand gently resting on her chin, Celia gazes to the left of the picture plane. Her visage fills the sheet, allowing the viewer to intently examine her in the same way Hockney would have done. Using a heavy line to trace the
silhouette of Celia’s profile, Hockney transforms his muse into a regal figure who might adorn a coin face.’¹

^1. Phillips (no date) Hockney's Muse, online, https://www.phillips.com/article/101235844/hockney-muse-celia-birtwell, accessed 26 September 2024.

David Hockney, born in 1937 in Bradford, England, is an influential British artist known for his role in the Pop art movement of the 1960s. He studied at the Bradford College of Art and the Royal College of Art, receiving a gold medal in the 1962 graduate competition. Hockney held his first solo show at Kasmin’s Gallery in London in 1963. The following year, despite having never visited, he moved to Los Angeles, where he has continued to live intermittently. Inspired by the light and colour of Southern California, his works, including the iconic painting A Bigger Splash (1967), celebrate the region’s landscapes and relaxed lifestyle.

Throughout his career, Hockney has explored various mediums, including collage and multi-perspective compositions, challenging conventional views of space and perspective. His works often depict landscapes, portraits, and scenes of everyday life. Hockney’s ability to blend traditional techniques with modern technology, such as fax machines, photocopiers, and iPads, reflects his ongoing experimentation and adaptability. Hockney has received numerous accolades, including an appointment to the Order of Merit in 2012 by Queen Elizabeth II, recognizing his contributions to art. His works are held in major public and private collections worldwide, underscoring his lasting impact on contemporary art.

Literature

Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (2023) David Hockney, Tokyo: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, unpaginated.