David Hockney, 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures (Installation View), via L.A. Louver
Marking a major global exhibition of the work of painter David Hockney, L.A. Louver is currently presenting 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures, a series of works created by Hockney in 2021, expanding on a series of iPad paintings in 2020 while quarantining at his studio and residence in Normandy, France. Inspired by his daily observations, Hockney devoted himself to the iPad, a medium of unique immediacy that allowed him to be prolific in his depictions of his home, the changing seasons, and surrounding countryside.
David Hockney, 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures (Installation View), via L.A. Louver
On view at each gallery are a series of signed and editioned prints from Hockney’s series of iPad paintings, underscoring the presence of Hockney’s hand as well as his deliberate technique for drafting larger-than-life compositions on the iPad. While Hockney’s flowers capture the fleeting stillness of his subjects, his immersive landscapes establish the vastness of his rural surroundings. A cornerstone of the series, Hockney’s landscapes call upon his observations of the changing of seasons. In each of his gridded picture planes, Hockney reimagines the Normandy countryside with bright colors, abstracted forms, and impossible angles of otherwise traditional outdoor scenes. Placing his focus on themes of renewal and rebirth, the resulting body of work reflects the pastoral nostalgia and beauty of the natural world.
David Hockney, 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures (Installation View), via L.A. Louver
Though attributes vary in each work, such as the species of flower—including one gladiola plant—and the color of the tablecloth, consistent elements across this series allow viewers to admire Hockney’s technique and dedication to his subject. Capturing a spectrum of floral compositions with contrasting tones and textures, Hockney displays his propensity for balancing the central artistic elements of line, color, and perspective. Hockney’s signature style can be felt throughout; careful constructions of line and shape are countered by washes of bright color, rendering works that feel equally meticulous and effortless.
David Hockney, 20 Flowers and Some Bigger Pictures (Installation View), via L.A. Louver
The show is centered by the artist’s large-scale photographic reproduction, depicting the artist gazing at a series of flowers mounted on a wall, a work that continues his exploration of the art work in relation to his own life, and his playful engagement with the fabric between reality and the painted work.
Emphasizing Hockney’s mastery and commitment to new modes of work, the show is on view through January 7th.
– C. Rhinehart
Read more:
David Hockney at L.A. Louver [Exhibition Site]
