Watch David Hockney: A Bigger Picture

David Hockney: A Bigger Picture is a documentary film from 2009 that is directed by Bruno Wollheim. The film explores the life and work of David Hockney, one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century. The film is narrated by Alan Yentob, and features interviews with other artists, curators, and critics, including Damien Hirst.

The film focuses on Hockney's return to his native Yorkshire in the mid-2000s, after more than 20 years spent living in Los Angeles. Hockney had long been fascinated by the landscape of his home county, and had created many works depicting the rolling hills, hedgerows, and woods that he had grown up with. However, it was only after his move back to the UK that he began to fully explore this subject matter, with a series of large-scale works that were unlike anything he had created before.

Hockney's decision to focus on the Yorkshire countryside was a bold move, as it represented a departure from the bright colors and sunny skies of his Californian paintings. However, he embraced this new subject matter with enthusiasm, immersing himself in the landscape and taking long walks to explore it from every angle. He also made use of new technologies, such as the iPad, to create digital paintings that captured the changing light and atmosphere of the Yorkshire countryside.

Throughout the film, we see Hockney at work in his studio, experimenting with different techniques and colors. We also see him out in the landscape, painting en plein air and discussing his work with fellow artists and friends. Hockney is an engaging and charismatic presence, and it is clear that he is passionate about his art and his home county.

The film also delves into Hockney's personal life, exploring his relationships with his family and his many friends and acquaintances. We learn about his struggles with depression and loneliness, and how he has used his art to express his feelings and connect with others. We also see how his art has evolved over the years, from his early days as a young art student in the 1950s to his groundbreaking experiments with computer-generated images in the 1980s.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is its visual beauty. The Yorkshire landscape is depicted in all its splendor, with Hockney's bold colors and expressive brushstrokes capturing the essence of the place. The film is shot with a keen eye for detail, and there are many breathtaking shots of the countryside that will leave viewers feeling awestruck.

Overall, David Hockney: A Bigger Picture is a fascinating and illuminating portrait of one of the most important artists of our time. It gives viewers a rare glimpse into Hockney's creative process and his personal life, and shows how he has continued to push the boundaries of art throughout his long and distinguished career. For anyone with an interest in contemporary art or the Yorkshire countryside, this film is not to be missed.

David Hockney: A Bigger Picture is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 1 minute. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.