The work of celebrated British artist David Hockney is set to appear on the walls of the Tweed Regional Gallery for its inaugural international touring exhibition next month.
David Hockney: Words & Pictures, will begin on Friday June 30.
One of the world’s most influential living artists, Hockey has been described as ‘arguably Britain’s greatest living painter’ and in 2011 was voted by his peers as the most influential British artist of all time.
Drawn from the British Council’s collection, the exhibition will present four major suites of the artist’s prints, produced between 1961 and 1977. United by their reference to historical works of literature and art, the prints were produced during the first two decades of Hockney’s career when he established himself as a pioneer of the British pop art movement.
The international collection will be supplemented by outstanding original Hockney etchings, lithographs and photocollages, including colourful portraits of the artist’s mother and a self-portrait, loaned to the gallery by the artist’s Australian-based brother, John Hockney.
Gallery Director Susi Muddiman said the exhibition was ‘a double coup for the Gallery and the Tweed. Not only is it our first international touring exhibition, it’s an amazing collection of works by an icon of British art for many years.’
An official opening for the exhibition will be held on Friday June 30, 6-8pm. Tickets for the opening night are $30 and selling fast. Advance bookings are essential and can be reserved by calling (02) 6670 2790.
David Hockney: Words & Pictures will be accompanied by a special program of events on Saturday 19 August, starting with a free talk by John Hockney at 2pm. The Gallery will them remain open ‘Up Late’ that evening, from 5-8pm, with Gallery Director Susi Muddiman and John Hockney ‘in conversation’ with Blue Mountains Cultural Centre Director Paul Brinkman at 6.30pm. The panel discussion will reflect on David Hockney’s career, his exploration of digital technologies and concurrent exhibitions of Hockney’s work in London and Melbourne.
The exhibition will appear at Tweed Regional Gallery with the generous support of the Tweed Regional Gallery Foundation Ltd.
David Hockney: Words & Pictures, Tweed Regional Gallery, Friday June 30 to Sunday September 17.
Prices: $10 adult; $7 Gallery Friend or Foundation member; $8 – concession or child aged 5-17 years; $26 – family (2 adults + up to 3 children); free children under 5.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
