586. Tribute to David Hockney: A Bigger Picture

When the late David Hockney—who had just turned 70—decided to leave Los Angeles to paint the countryside of his native East Yorkshire, filmmaker Bruno Wollheim was given unprecedented access to film the artist at work, but on condition that he do it without a crew. Over the course of three years, using one camera with a microphone attached, Wollheim captured Hockney sketching and painting in a variety of locations, sometimes in his studio, mostly outdoors in all weathers and through the changes of season. Eventually, Hockney paints—and gifts to the Royal Academy—its largest painting ever, the huge Spring's Arrival in Wold Gate, an assemblage of smaller canvases totaling 15 x 50 feet. As the Times of London said, "This film may well be the best anyone will ever make about Hockney's process." An artful discussion will follow the screening.