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Hockney: The Biography Volume 1
The astounding first volume, exploring the fascinating world of the most popular living artist in Britain today.
David Hockney's career has spanned and epitomised the art movements of the last five decades. His story is one of precocious achievement at Bradford Art College, the Swinging 60s in London where he befriended many of the iconic cultural figures of the generation, to California and the cool of the swimming pool series of paintings, through the acclaimed set designs for countless operas around the world and major retrospective exhibitions at The Tate and The Royal Academy of Art.
With unprecedented access to interviews, family and friends and Hockney's own notebooks and paintings, this volume will deliver an honest and revelatory account of the man who many believe to be Britain's greatest living artist.
David Hockney's career has spanned and epitomised the art movements of the last five decades. His story is one of precocious achievement at Bradford Art College, the Swinging 60s in London where he befriended many of the iconic cultural figures of the generation, to California and the cool of the swimming pool series of paintings, through the acclaimed set designs for countless operas around the world and major retrospective exhibitions at The Tate and The Royal Academy of Art.
With unprecedented access to interviews, family and friends and Hockney's own notebooks and paintings, this volume will deliver an honest and revelatory account of the man who many believe to be Britain's greatest living artist.
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 17, 2014
The life of David Hockney has been as fascinating, varied and brilliant as his work, with which it is inextricably intertwined. This biography offers an introduction to some of this excitement and complexity, up to a point. Indeed, up to several points.
The first of these is chronological. In order to maintain, I assume, some kind of unity between the dates of pictures and the biographical episodes with which they are linked, Sykes is frequently unclear about precisely when certain events took place, preferring to maintain a clearer narrative link than exactitude might deliver. This makes it difficult sometimes to place particular work historically, and if, like me, you are cross-referencing pieces mentioned but not included in the plates with reproductions in another book, some confusion necessarily ensues.
I also wonder if the portrait of the artist isn't a little over-reverential. I don't, of course, know David Hockney, and from interviews, films, and his own writings I'm happy to infer that he's a very nice man. But I think there can be little doubt, to judge from the evidence of his very public career, that he's also extremely good at managing and manipulating his own image, and his very early success alone should be enough to demonstrate that he's always been a very canny businessman. There's none of this in evidence.
My third gripe is the rather rushed way in which this volume is finished. Since it was published in 2011, a full 36 years after the last of the events it describes, I feel it could be a bit more considered in its final chapter about what Hockney's work at the time would mean for his future - it's not as though an art biography needs to keep its reader in suspense.
All that said, this *is* an enjoyable and insightful story. I particularly appreciated the chapters on the genesis of my favourite Hockney painting, the double portrait "Mr & Mrs Clark & Percy", which encapsulates much about the artist's life in the 1960s-70s, as well as demonstrating his preternatural knack for catching mood, personality, and narrative in a single picture; also the background to Jack Hazan's film "A Bigger Splash", which has perplexed, infuriated, and enlightened many of its viewers since 1974 - including, apparently, Hockney himself !
The first of these is chronological. In order to maintain, I assume, some kind of unity between the dates of pictures and the biographical episodes with which they are linked, Sykes is frequently unclear about precisely when certain events took place, preferring to maintain a clearer narrative link than exactitude might deliver. This makes it difficult sometimes to place particular work historically, and if, like me, you are cross-referencing pieces mentioned but not included in the plates with reproductions in another book, some confusion necessarily ensues.
I also wonder if the portrait of the artist isn't a little over-reverential. I don't, of course, know David Hockney, and from interviews, films, and his own writings I'm happy to infer that he's a very nice man. But I think there can be little doubt, to judge from the evidence of his very public career, that he's also extremely good at managing and manipulating his own image, and his very early success alone should be enough to demonstrate that he's always been a very canny businessman. There's none of this in evidence.
My third gripe is the rather rushed way in which this volume is finished. Since it was published in 2011, a full 36 years after the last of the events it describes, I feel it could be a bit more considered in its final chapter about what Hockney's work at the time would mean for his future - it's not as though an art biography needs to keep its reader in suspense.
All that said, this *is* an enjoyable and insightful story. I particularly appreciated the chapters on the genesis of my favourite Hockney painting, the double portrait "Mr & Mrs Clark & Percy", which encapsulates much about the artist's life in the 1960s-70s, as well as demonstrating his preternatural knack for catching mood, personality, and narrative in a single picture; also the background to Jack Hazan's film "A Bigger Splash", which has perplexed, infuriated, and enlightened many of its viewers since 1974 - including, apparently, Hockney himself !
May 12, 2017
I enjoyed this book at the beginning for its linking of life stages and events to particular works. As I read on I began to find the gossipy, name-dropping style rather trying.
There is some writing in this biography, comparing the making of the film 'A Bigger Splash' and Hockney's depiction of couples in portraits, about the responsibilities involved. It must always be difficult to write a biography of a living person. I found this one to be a bit sycophantic.
Its focus on the details of 'beautiful boys', pornography, luxury, gossip and drugs seems superficial and even titillating.
I would have liked a different life writing approach - more objective or more involved.
There is some writing in this biography, comparing the making of the film 'A Bigger Splash' and Hockney's depiction of couples in portraits, about the responsibilities involved. It must always be difficult to write a biography of a living person. I found this one to be a bit sycophantic.
Its focus on the details of 'beautiful boys', pornography, luxury, gossip and drugs seems superficial and even titillating.
I would have liked a different life writing approach - more objective or more involved.
June 14, 2021
A fascinating look at the first 38 years of Hockney's life. Though a little heavy on detail, the biography reveals an artist keenly aware of the power his gaze held and unafraid to speak his point of view.
May 3, 2025
Very interesting look at Hockney’s early career. Fascinating to see how his style developed through his experiences, significantly travel and relationships. Also contained a number of coloured illustrations.
January 3, 2019
I really enjoyed Christopher Sykes story on David Hockney, now just need to find part 2.
October 19, 2021
had to read for art comparative study, this bro was long but I managed to get what I needed from it 😁 big ups Christopher 💯💯
April 11, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, looking forward to the 2nd installment on this wonderful artist...
October 23, 2024
A wonderful insight into an artist that I have come to love. When I was first introduced to Hockney's work, I felt his work was childish in representation. I have come, over the years, to the idea is that art is simply that which resonates with oneself. There is no objective rules or styles that makes art art. Nor does it require an intelligence behind its creation. It is completely within the mind of the beholder. That many agree with a piece or not does not make it better or worse than another. For that insight, I'm thankful to have come across Hockney. I highly recommend this first part of Hockney's artistic biography. Be prepared for highly detailed look into the person, his relations, and process.
September 9, 2012
The book's acknowledgments outline the rules of engagement between author and subject: "He would talk to me in his time, not mine, and he would authorise the book, but not endorse it" (p. xv). Thus begins the first of what is doubtless a two (or more?)-part biography chronicling the life and work of 20th-century artist David Hockney. Sykes provided what I found to be interesting insights and backstory to the life and work of this artist. He likewise appears to have been given remarkable access to friends and family for interviews as well as access to personal correspondence, Hockney's mother's journal, and similar useful resources. As a consequence the reader takes a somewhat voyeuristic stroll through Hockney's life, work, and loves--tracking the artist and his output from his somewhat austere origins in post-war Bradford with deeply-religious parents through the heady days of the 1960s and 1970s when Hockney broke onto the art scene out of the Royal College of Art and began being shown at London's Kasmin Gallery (in 1963) and in short order burst onto the world art stage. At times the book felt overly-gossipy to me (e.g., the identification of a particular Guinness heiresses whose use of LSD meant she missed a pretty spectacular party at Glyndebourne due to being zonked out in the bushes). My point being, I'm not quite sure what singling her out did to help the reader contextualize Hockney's remarkable scene designs for A Rake's Progress. Thus, if I could request any sort of clarification from the author it would be to explain how some people are little more than gossipy footnotes whereas others are dealt with far more sympathetically (e.g., Hockney's heroin-addicted associate Mo, who--despite his addiction and willingness to work through some 200 bottles in Hockney's wine cellar--still manages to deliver the goods on projects time and time again).
As just an interested lay reader, as opposed to someone with actual art historical expertise, I found that this biography made me quite interested in seeking out Hockney's work in museums. I have a whole new appreciation for his masterful ability to incorporate photography, lithography, and xerography into his paintings. And the fact that he even successfully tackled set and costume design a time or two was likewise enlightening.
Through detailed accounts told from multiple perspectives, Sykes' biography is effective in situating Hockney's work and mental state. Nowhere did I feel more for him than when the dissolution of his breakup with Peter Schlessinger is documented in a movie titled A Bigger Splash (which Hockney had been led to believe was to be a documentary about art)--and then the movie is selected for critics week at Cannes! Talk about making your most painful experience public. What was so revelatory here, however, was Hockney's realization that as painful as the film was to him, that he could no more ask or expect another artist to destroy his work than he could--or would be willing--to do the same upon demand from someone else. For me, this was one of the first times he got enough out of his head to be a truly sympathetic human being--as opposed to simply a supremely talented artist. All told, I found the human interest and art historical sides to be in reasonably good balance. Given the relative thoroughness of the book's index, however, an appendix containing a list of his completed works might have made a nice addition. (Doubtless, such exists elsewhere and Sykes was intent on delivering something new.)
As just an interested lay reader, as opposed to someone with actual art historical expertise, I found that this biography made me quite interested in seeking out Hockney's work in museums. I have a whole new appreciation for his masterful ability to incorporate photography, lithography, and xerography into his paintings. And the fact that he even successfully tackled set and costume design a time or two was likewise enlightening.
Through detailed accounts told from multiple perspectives, Sykes' biography is effective in situating Hockney's work and mental state. Nowhere did I feel more for him than when the dissolution of his breakup with Peter Schlessinger is documented in a movie titled A Bigger Splash (which Hockney had been led to believe was to be a documentary about art)--and then the movie is selected for critics week at Cannes! Talk about making your most painful experience public. What was so revelatory here, however, was Hockney's realization that as painful as the film was to him, that he could no more ask or expect another artist to destroy his work than he could--or would be willing--to do the same upon demand from someone else. For me, this was one of the first times he got enough out of his head to be a truly sympathetic human being--as opposed to simply a supremely talented artist. All told, I found the human interest and art historical sides to be in reasonably good balance. Given the relative thoroughness of the book's index, however, an appendix containing a list of his completed works might have made a nice addition. (Doubtless, such exists elsewhere and Sykes was intent on delivering something new.)
May 17, 2013
Fascinating biography of an artist that I greatly admire. Sykes certainly had access and carefully attributed his quotes. Sykes put together a coherent and compelling story.
I knocked off a point because he was sloppy with the details about Colorado on page 161*. I know Boulder and Colorado geography & history well and Sykes got them horribly wrong. That led me to wonder how much else he got wrong.
After that, I took everything with a grain of salt.
It's a great story, though. It's not just about art and artists. The beginning of the biography, dealing with Hockney's parents, show just how much human potential is wasted by the English class system. Both of his parents were exceptionally intelligent and principled human beings and it was painful to read how classism and sexism limited their options. The part about how his mother was harrassed out of a job as a patternmaker because her skill threatened a more senior employee was heartbreaking.
His first purchase when he earned enough to live on as an artist, plus a little bit extra, wasn't something for himself. It was a new sewing machine for his mother. His parents started him along the path to his signature style. His dad showed him how to find quality fabrics and construction (albeit in garish patterns and rejected by other customers) in thrift stores. His mom sewed clothes for their entire family.
I didn't realize he was such a trailblazer in human rights for gays. Growing up in SF, I took gay rights for granted and didn't pay attention to the struggle. The poignant story about the breakup with Peter S is a universal one of love not fully appreciated until lost. Really, really well-told.
* Central City is no where near Aspen if you bother to check a map of Colorado. There ARE Indians/Native Americans within 300 miles of Boulder.
I knocked off a point because he was sloppy with the details about Colorado on page 161*. I know Boulder and Colorado geography & history well and Sykes got them horribly wrong. That led me to wonder how much else he got wrong.
After that, I took everything with a grain of salt.
It's a great story, though. It's not just about art and artists. The beginning of the biography, dealing with Hockney's parents, show just how much human potential is wasted by the English class system. Both of his parents were exceptionally intelligent and principled human beings and it was painful to read how classism and sexism limited their options. The part about how his mother was harrassed out of a job as a patternmaker because her skill threatened a more senior employee was heartbreaking.
His first purchase when he earned enough to live on as an artist, plus a little bit extra, wasn't something for himself. It was a new sewing machine for his mother. His parents started him along the path to his signature style. His dad showed him how to find quality fabrics and construction (albeit in garish patterns and rejected by other customers) in thrift stores. His mom sewed clothes for their entire family.
I didn't realize he was such a trailblazer in human rights for gays. Growing up in SF, I took gay rights for granted and didn't pay attention to the struggle. The poignant story about the breakup with Peter S is a universal one of love not fully appreciated until lost. Really, really well-told.
* Central City is no where near Aspen if you bother to check a map of Colorado. There ARE Indians/Native Americans within 300 miles of Boulder.
January 26, 2016
Esta es una biografía bien documentada y meticulosa del pintor inglés David Hockney. DH, nació en 1936 y estudió en el Royal College of Art. Desde la primera colectiva en que participó "Young Contemporaries", se le reconoció como un magnífico dibujante que buscaba un estilo propio. Al finalizar la década de los años 60 ya era conocido en E.U. e Inglaterra como un gran pintor de la corriente llamada "Pop Art", en donde también fueron clasificados como tales a Robert Rouchenberg y Frank Stella, entre otros muchos.
Su gusto por la vida en el estado de California lo hizo establecerse en el lugar hasta el año de 1991, cuando regresó de nuevo a Inglaterra. De su estancia en California quedó su serie de acrílicos conocidos como de las albercas. En el mismo lugar creó una serie de retratos de sus amigos, en donde el de Ossie y Celia Clark se distingue por su colorido y manufactura. Estos retratos y algunos de sus dibujos para escenografías para ópera, pudimos verlos en aquella exposición que se presentó en el Museo Tamayo en 1995.
La biografía comprende únicamente de 1936-1975, por lo tanto, en ella no se habla de su voluminosa serie de paisajes que hizo en el año de 2006 para la exposición de la Royal Academy of Art, de los cuales pudimos ver únicamente el majestuoso "Bigger Trees Near Warter", en la colectiva "Landscapes of the Mind", Paisajísmo Británico, Colección Tate, que presentó el Museo Nacional de Arte en junio del año pasado.
Su gusto por la vida en el estado de California lo hizo establecerse en el lugar hasta el año de 1991, cuando regresó de nuevo a Inglaterra. De su estancia en California quedó su serie de acrílicos conocidos como de las albercas. En el mismo lugar creó una serie de retratos de sus amigos, en donde el de Ossie y Celia Clark se distingue por su colorido y manufactura. Estos retratos y algunos de sus dibujos para escenografías para ópera, pudimos verlos en aquella exposición que se presentó en el Museo Tamayo en 1995.
La biografía comprende únicamente de 1936-1975, por lo tanto, en ella no se habla de su voluminosa serie de paisajes que hizo en el año de 2006 para la exposición de la Royal Academy of Art, de los cuales pudimos ver únicamente el majestuoso "Bigger Trees Near Warter", en la colectiva "Landscapes of the Mind", Paisajísmo Británico, Colección Tate, que presentó el Museo Nacional de Arte en junio del año pasado.
April 30, 2012
"Energetic, absorbing ... Sykes skillfully integrates Hockney’s private history with his public, artistic life to provide unusual insight into both his emotional and professional life."
—Publishers Weekly
"Intimate, vivid ... A personal, lively look at this extraordinary artist’s career. Readers will eagerly await the second volume."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Prodigiously entertaining."
—Financial Times
“A chatty, knowledgeable, insider's biography, full of anecdotes.”
—The Guardian
“Christopher Simon Sykes is quick to blow away the cobwebs in his biography, the first of two volumes, pointing to Hockney's trailblazing status. This is…an exhaustive and authoritative telling of the Hockney story.”
—The Independent
“Certainly the most moving and amusing account of the most popular British artist of the 20th century. [David Hockney] bounces along as the rebellious, eccentric, funny artist discovers sex, then London, and so on to fame and fortune, via California. Sykes elicits marvellous background details and anecdotes… The wit, energy and magical talent of Hockney to use whatever happens to him to his purpose and for humour are shown on almost every page.”
—London Evening Standard
—Publishers Weekly
"Intimate, vivid ... A personal, lively look at this extraordinary artist’s career. Readers will eagerly await the second volume."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Prodigiously entertaining."
—Financial Times
“A chatty, knowledgeable, insider's biography, full of anecdotes.”
—The Guardian
“Christopher Simon Sykes is quick to blow away the cobwebs in his biography, the first of two volumes, pointing to Hockney's trailblazing status. This is…an exhaustive and authoritative telling of the Hockney story.”
—The Independent
“Certainly the most moving and amusing account of the most popular British artist of the 20th century. [David Hockney] bounces along as the rebellious, eccentric, funny artist discovers sex, then London, and so on to fame and fortune, via California. Sykes elicits marvellous background details and anecdotes… The wit, energy and magical talent of Hockney to use whatever happens to him to his purpose and for humour are shown on almost every page.”
—London Evening Standard
November 26, 2012
I have always enjoyed the work of David Hockney and welcomed the opportunity to learn more about him. This biography, while at times a bit gossipy, was a well written summary of the first part of his prolific and creative lifetime. It was also interesting to read how he was so comfortable being out about his sexuality at such an early age, setting a wonderful example for people coming after him. I am looking forward to the second installment of this biography.
January 22, 2016
A rather gossipy account of the early years of an artist I greatly admire. Quite an amazing period during London's "swinging" years when it was at the height of it's modern influence in art, music and fashion. This biography gave some insight into the life of Hockney and at least inspired me to pursue more of the life and works of this talented artist.
February 21, 2016
The first of a 2 volume biography, it takes the story from birth to 1975 (and a very debauched evening at Glyndebourne). It's a well illustrated book (although frustratingly doesn't include every picture it writes about) and a surprisingly quick read...if and when the 2nd volume appears in paperback I'll snap it up.
August 7, 2012
I got through nearly 100 pages of this glorified gossip column before giving up. I guess I wanted a critical biography, but this isn't it. DH sounds like a nice, upbeat guy though, bu you can probably tell this much by looking at his work. I wanted more.
June 25, 2012
Great book
September 1, 2012
Interesting book. Like many biographies, the story of his emergence to fame and accomplishment was the most interesting. It's disappointing that the book only goes through 1975.
October 17, 2012
What a charmed life he has led!
July 27, 2013
A fascinating look at the life and work of a great creative mind. I will definitely read part 2 if and when it is written.
Read
August 31, 2014Very interesting but not exciting. Good to have the background on one of my faves
June 6, 2013
Another non-fiction book which I really enjoyed.
October 10, 2014
If you like his art you will probably like the book.
April 22, 2017
Picked up two bargainous David Hockey books recently. This biography full of color plates was massively reduced, is DH not popular in the US? Well anyway I've liked his work, the portraits especially, from a precociously young age after being taken to the Tate in London aged about 9 and staring for ages at Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy. Interesting to hear of his childhood in Bradford and progression through art school. Would a working class boy from Yorkshire have such opportunities in this day and age? Depressingly probably not.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews