I count myself fortunate that I can leave my home and, within a few minutes, be standing in front of a new artwork by David Hockney. 'A Year in Normandie' is Hockney's biggest ever picture, at over 90m wide. He has joined together some of the 220 iPad pieces he created in 2020, recording the changing seasons around his French garden while he was spending the pandemic lockdown in Normandy. Influenced by Chinese scrolls and the Bayeux Tapestry, Hockney's intent is that the viewer will walk past it and experience in one picture a whole year in Normandy.
The piece has been unveiled in the huge, timber-beamed roof space in Salts Mill, along with an animated iPad painting, 'Remember You Cannot Look at the Sun or Death for Very Long', a joyful depiction of sunrise.
Whatever you think of his art, there is no doubt that even at the age of 84, after a career spanning 60 years, Bradford-born Hockney's zest for life and commitment to innovative and ambitious projects is undimmed.
Interesting use of a mural effect, yet with individual paintings next to each other. It's like he's made each scene separate, then shoved it next to the last one...a bit unnerving for me.
ReplyDeleteOh my! That is quite wonderful. How lucky you are to see it in person.
ReplyDeleteThat is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteThe roof space sets off this magical Hockney masterpiece perfectly.
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