David Hockney (b.1937) is probably the most popular, critically acclaimed, multifaceted and influential British artist working today. His work is exhibited, collected and adored throughout the world.
His immense talent and versatility across media as a painter, draughtsman, printmaker, photographer, and designer is possibly unparalleled. His seemingly unquenchable thirst to explore and master new ways of seeing and methods of creating have placed him at the very forefront of artistic invention, and the fruits of this creative energy have resulted in some of the most iconic images of the last fifty years. His suite of etchings A Rake’s Progress (1961-63), his Californian masterpiece A Bigger Splash (1967; London, Tate), and his large scale double portrait Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy (1970–1; London, Tate) are just a small example of his output that are not only technically superb but also manage to perfectly capture the zeitgeist of their time.
What is even more remarkable is that he has maintained his popularity whilst primarily working in the figurative tradition, proof indeed of the traditions enduring popularity. To this day Hockney’s 2012 Royal Academy show "A Bigger Picture" remains the most attended show in British history.
Hockney’s work is held in and has been exhibited by most major international institutions, including the Tate, the National Portrait Gallery, MoMA, LACMA, The Museum of Contemporary Art (Tokyo) and Le Centre Pompidou to name just a few.