At 88 years old, artist David Hockney continues to challenge artistic conventions with a new exhibition in London. Titled “Some Very, Very, Very New Paintings Not Yet Shown in Paris,” the show at Annely Juda’s Mayfair gallery reveals an artist whose creative energy and passion for visual exploration remain as powerful as ever.
The collection is defined by its vibrant color palette, innovative techniques, and the artist's unwavering optimism. Despite his age and use of a wheelchair, Hockney’s latest works are dynamic, demonstrating his persistent drive to find new ways of seeing and representing the world.
Key Takeaways
- David Hockney, at 88, has opened a new exhibition of recent paintings in Mayfair, London.
- The show prominently features his development of "reverse perspective," a technique he pioneered.
- Works include new portraits, a tribute to Van Gogh, and iPad drawings created in his Normandy studio.
- Despite physical limitations, Hockney has adapted his painting process to continue working on large canvases.
- The exhibition underscores the artist's enduring themes of joy, curiosity, and the beauty of the world.
An Artist Undiminished by Time
David Hockney’s presence at the exhibition's opening night was a statement in itself. Dressed in a newly tailored tweed suit, he engaged with attendees, explaining his artistic process with characteristic wit. His physical limitations have not hindered his ambition; instead, they have fueled his ingenuity.
When asked how he manages to paint the upper portions of his large-scale canvases while seated, his solution was simple yet clever. “I turn them on their side,” he explained. This practical adaptation is a testament to his problem-solving mindset.
“You have to be inventive, always. There is always a way. It is what imagination is about.”
This inventive spirit is visible in every piece on display. The brush strokes may show a subtle tremor, but the artist's vision is unwavering. The paintings, set against a dark blue wall chosen by Hockney, seem to vibrate with fresh energy and color.
The Evolution of Reverse Perspective
A central theme of the exhibition is Hockney’s continued exploration of what he calls “reverse perspective.” This technique upends traditional rules of Western art, where parallel lines converge at a distant vanishing point. In Hockney’s work, these lines diverge, pulling the viewer into the scene in a new and dynamic way.
What is Reverse Perspective?
Traditional linear perspective, dominant since the Renaissance, creates an illusion of depth by making objects smaller as they recede. Hockney's reverse perspective does the opposite: objects that are further away can appear larger, creating a multi-focal composition that more closely mimics how the human eye actually perceives the world—in a series of focused glances rather than a single, static view.
One of the most striking examples of this is the painting titled Vincent’s Chair and Gauguin’s Chair, 4 July 2025. The work is a clear homage to Van Gogh, but reimagined through Hockney’s unique lens. A scarlet-matted floor and brightly colored chair legs create a psychedelic energy, radiating the optimism that has become a hallmark of his style.
The collection also includes a dazzling double portrait of an artist and his assistant, who happens to be Hockney's great-nephew. The piece pops with color and captures the warmth and directness of his portraiture, a genre he has returned to throughout his career.
From Normandy iPads to Mayfair Walls
The exhibition is not limited to traditional paint on canvas. A section titled The Moon Room showcases a series of works Hockney created on his iPad in 2020 while at his studio in Normandy, France. These digital drawings capture a different mood—one of stillness and quiet delight in the subtleties of light and color.
This embrace of technology is not new for Hockney. He has been a vocal proponent of using tools like the iPad for art, seeing it as another medium to explore the fundamental questions of representation. These digital pieces demonstrate his versatility and his ongoing quest to find the best tools to capture what he sees.
A Lifelong Innovator
David Hockney has consistently embraced new technologies throughout his career. His work includes:
- Photocollages: In the 1980s, he created his famous "joiners," composite images made from dozens of Polaroid or 35mm prints.
- Fax Art: He experimented with sending images via fax machine, creating art that could be transmitted and reproduced instantly.
- iPhone and iPad Drawings: Since the late 2000s, he has created thousands of digital drawings, praising the medium for its immediacy and vibrant color capabilities.
The juxtaposition of the bold, large-scale paintings with the luminous, intimate iPad drawings provides a comprehensive look at the artist's current preoccupations. Both mediums serve his ultimate goal: to share the joy he finds in looking at the world.
The Enduring Philosophy of a Master
Even outside the gallery, Hockney remains an engaging figure. Holding court on the pavement with a cigarette, he discussed everything from perspective to Caravaggio, embodying the roles of both professor and provocateur. His famous badge, reading “end bossiness soon,” was a familiar sight, a small symbol of his rebellious and independent spirit.
The works in this show are a powerful reflection of his life philosophy. They are not the quiet, reflective pieces of an artist in his twilight years. Instead, they are bold, inquisitive, and full of life. They make the viewer feel as though they are sharing in Hockney’s unique ability to see, to interpret, and to find beauty in the everyday.
With prices for his paintings reaching into the seven figures and very few pieces available for sale, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to witness the latest chapter in the career of one of the world's most important living artists. After its London run, the show is scheduled to travel to Paris.
As the opening night came to a close, Hockney summed up his motivation with a simple, powerful statement reflecting his relentless drive.
“What else would I want to do? I still find the world beautiful and I still find new ways to appreciate that and capture it. I just have to keep going!’’
With that, he navigated his electric chair through the gallery, his eyes still searching, his mind still whirring with the next idea. For David Hockney, the quest never ends.