Hockney Artistic Career and Quest to Escape Labels

David Hockney in the film Hockney directed by Randall Wright. The film delves into Hockney artistic career. Image courtesy of Northwest Film Center

FILM: Randall Wright’s film delves into David Hockney artistic career, his life, and his struggles to avoid being labeled queer.

PORTLAND, OREGON– On Art and Artists,  a new film series at the Northwest Film Center in Portland Art Museum provides art lovers the opportunity to see the life and works of artists. One of the films is Hockney directed by Randall Wright. The film draws on the treasures trove of photographs and home movies to bring to life the career and life of this famous artist.

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Hockney is one of the most charismatic, inquisitive, and exciting figures in contemporary art. The 113 min film traces the career of the famous artist and his life history through the years. It takes viewers from Hockney’s early life in working-class Bradford, where his love for pictures was developed through his admiration for cinema. There is a particular focus on his relocation to Hollywood where his life long struggle to escape labels such as  ‘queer,’ ‘working class,’ ‘figurative artist’ was finally overcome. The focus on the struggle to overcome the labeling, even as he focused on his artistic career, gives this film credence.

Hockney remains true to his roots over the years. In the film, the artist talks about his art, friends, lovers’ childhood experience, source of inspiration, and dreams. The artist is humorous and full of vitality even at 77.  Even as he continues work in his Los Angeles studio seven days a week, the artist is still vivacious undiminished.

HOCKNEY Official Trailer (2014) Randall Wright

HOCKNEY: Youtube

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