Watch Hockney

Hockney is a 2014 documentary that takes a personal look at the life and career of iconic British artist, David Hockney. Directed by Randall Wright, the film provides an intimate chronicle of the artist's life, presenting his biography, art, friendships, and life in Southern California. The documentary is candid, honest and shows Hockney in his natural personality, which helps to paint a more accurate picture of the artist and his work.

The documentary begins with a candid interview of Hockney, who talks about his roots, his mother, and his early memories in Yorkshire. The artist describes how growing up in a small village with rural landscapes ignited his passion for painting. Hockney mentions that his mother encouraged him to pursue art, despite the lack of opportunities to study it in his town. This insight into the artist's early life provides a deep understanding of how his experiences inspired him to create his unique artistic style.

The film also explores Hockney's groundbreaking work in the 60s and 70s, which helped redefine modern art. Hockney experimented with techniques like colored paper, Polaroid and acrylic. His endless fascination with photography manifests itself in his paintings which are usually comprised of several pieces exhibited side-by-side, aligning with the way we often perceive photographic “moments” as a series of images or frames. Discovering the Polaroid in the 70s, he transformed the immediate art of photography into a subject that inspired and challenged the boundaries of painting. The unique technique is evident when the film cuts to Hockney's remarkable painting “My Mother, Bolton Abbey, 1982”. The painting is made up of several puzzle-like pieces, with the main focus on a life-sized portrait of his mother.

The film continuously assesses Hockney's design principles and artistic creativity, showing his innovative ability to incorporate experimental ideas into his work. The documentary is a testament to Hockney's masterful creativity and his tireless work ethic, as he continues to inspire future generations with his art.

The film also explores Hockney's personal relationships, including his tumultuous relationship with Peter Schlesinger, a close companion in the 70s. The two men met when Schlesinger was a student in Hockney's art class at UCLA. Their relationship was believed to have been short-lived, and Schlesinger reportedly left Hockney for a woman. The film features Hockney's friends and family, including Arthur Lambert, one of the artist's longest-standing friends, who discusses Hockney's life in Southern California and how it influenced his work.

Hockney's love for water and swimming has been well documented in his work, and the film features stunning footage of the artist swimming in his backyard pool. The camera captures the California afternoon light reflecting on the water, providing a sense of peace and calm that Hockney found in swimming. The film showcases many of the artist's swimming pool paintings, including “A Bigger Splash,” which was a milestone in his career.

As the film approaches its climax, it takes on a more melancholic tone, discussing Hockney's experiences with the 80s AIDS crisis. The film mourns Hockney's friends and fellow artists who passed away during the pandemic, including his dear friends, artist Patrick Procktor and fashion designer Ossie Clark. Hockney discusses how the loss of these friends affected him and turned him towards painting landscapes, which he found to be healing.

In conclusion, Hockney provides an intimate look at the artist's life and work, exploring his innovative techniques and groundbreaking ideas that paved the way for modern art. Randall Wright's documentary presents an honest and unfiltered view of Hockney, showcasing the artist as he truly is: complex, creative, and deeply human. The viewer leaves the documentary with a profound respect for Hockney's work and appreciation of his unique artistic style.

Hockney is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 65.