This video is an outtake from David Hockney: A Bigger Picture, an award-winning documentary by filmmaker Bruno Wollheim. Watch the full film here: vimeo.com/ondemand/116394
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The Rudston-Kilham road, fringed by trees planted in the 19th century. Painting at the height of Spring, a period of about 10 days which David calls “Action Week”.
One of my favourite quotes about Hockney comes from his art dealer the late Nicholas Wilder: "Hockney believes that art is a by-product - a by-product of another enterprise - an enterprise that is essentially speculative in nature." (David Hockney: Paintings of the Early 1960's" Andre Emmerich Gallery catalogue intro).
The painter Michael Craig-Martin made a similar point to me back in 2007. He believes the cultural outlook and career of modern artists are most crucially formed and fixed at that moment they decide to be artists, usually at art college or before. Thus he views Hockney as an essentially Sixties experimental Conceptual or even Minimalist artist, but one who ploughs a French Early Modernist furrow in terms of his attachment to those traditional subject-matters of Landscape, Still Life and Figure.
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Filmed over three years with unprecedented access, A Bigger Picture captures Britain’s most beloved painter at work. David Hockney’s return from California to paint the East Yorkshire landscape of his childhood - outside, in all weathers, through the seasons - culminates in the largest picture ever made outdoors. It’s an inspiring story of a painter in creative dialogue with nature and photography, and a revealing portrait of Britain’s most popular and celebrated artist.
“This wonderful film … will be of lasting importance for future generations who want to understand Hockney’s art.” Saturday Review, BBC Radio 4
“Bruno Wollheim’s portrait of this forthright magus is an unqualified, life-enhancing joy from start to finish.” - The Sunday Times
“This film may well be the best anyone will ever make about Hockney’s process.” - The Times, London.
“As gently hypnotic and fulfilling as one of Hockney’s own works.” - Time Out
“This impressive documentary is almost cinematic in its scope… both majestic and intimate” - The Observer
Watch the full documentary here: vimeo.com/224807729
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