Art and Design Inspiration
Top London Art Exhibitions of 2023
2023 is an exciting time for the art world with must-see exhibitions to book now all over London. To make things a little easier, we have shared some of our hand-picked favourites of The London Art Exhibition 2023 world so far:
Discover Black artists from the Southeastern U.S. who created spectacular, ingenious works over the last century. Using locally available materials like clay, driftwood, roots, and recycled objects, the 64 works span from the mid-20th century to today.
With over 100 international artists, this is the UK’s most comprehensive graffiti and street art exhibition, taking over Saatchi Gallery. Beyond the Streets London explores the human need for public self-expression, featuring artists rooted in graffiti and street art. It highlights artists whose work evolved into disciplined studio practices, alongside cultural figures inspired by the graffiti and street art scene.
The last but not least London Art Exhibition 2023,
‘Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)’, located in London’s Kings Cross, is showcasing Hockney’s work like never seen before. The show utilises the latest digital projection and audio technology, illustrating Hockney’s colourful paintings and experimenting with perspective. Using animation as a way of ‘drawing with a camera’, the passing of time is captured in his illustrations and collages. And, the joy of spring on his iPad.
David Hockney at ‘Bigger & Closer’ Exhibition in London
David Hockney and his London Art Exhibition 2023: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)
Hockney is one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. His contributions to art have been significant and far-reaching, inspiring countless artists and art enthusiasts worldwide. Hockney rose to prominence in the 1960s during the Pop Art movement, alongside Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. His work challenged traditional art boundaries, embracing commercial and popular culture of the time.
Throughout his career, Hockney has expanded the meaning of modern art, working in various mediums and exploring diverse themes. His willingness to experiment with new techniques has made him one of the most innovative artists of his time.
‘Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)’ is among 2023’s top art experiences, featuring Hockney’s most famous works. One standout piece is “A Closer Grand Canyon,” painted in 1998, yet still feeling modern 25 years later. The painting, over 13 feet long, consists of 60 canvases, each offering a unique perspective and color scheme. It captures America’s iconic landscape in Hockney’s signature fragmented, vibrant style, creating a breathtaking panorama.
Another highlight is “Bigger Trees Near Warter,” painted in 2007, one of Hockney’s largest works. Measuring over 15 feet, it depicts a Yorkshire grove near Hockney’s home in his bold, vibrant style. Each tree is painted in a different color, creating a psychedelic effect that vibrates with energy. Even 16 years later, in 2023, the painting feels fresh and modern, showcasing Hockney’s timeless vision.
“Bigger Trees Near Warter” at ‘Bigger and Closer’ Exhibition 2023
“The world is very very beautiful if you look at it, but most people don’t look very much. They scan the ground in front of them so they can walk, they don’t really look at things incredibly well, with an intensity. I do.” – David Hockney
One characteristic that makes Hockney successful is his willingness to explore any medium, even those he initially lacks knowledge of.
A great example is his work with stained glass, particularly the Westminster Abbey Queen’s Window, commissioned for the 2012 Diamond Jubilee. The Dean requested a symbolic or representational design, recognizable as Hockney’s work, rather than a heraldic or figurative approach. Within a day of receiving the commission, Hockney submitted a first-draft design for the stained-glass window. The window features a bright, colorful tree surrounded by vibrant foliage and flowers, reflecting Hockney’s signature bold style. Hockney drew inspiration from Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall, both renowned painters who also worked with stained glass. His stained-glass work showcases his artistic versatility, proving his ability to create stunning pieces across various mediums.
David Hockney’s stained glass work is a testament to his versatility as an artist. His ability to create beautiful and unique works of art in a variety of mediums has helped to cement his status as one of the most important artists of our time.
David Hockney’s stained glass window at Westminster Abbey
The Importance of Color in David Hockney’s Work
One of the most distinctive aspects of David Hockney’s work is his use of colour. Hockney’s colours are bright and bold, often applied in thick, expressive brushstrokes that create a sense of energy and movement. His use of colour is not simply decorative; it is an essential part of the narrative of his work, helping to convey mood, emotion, and atmosphere.
Hockney’s fascination with colour began early in his career, as he was deeply influenced by the bright, sun-drenched landscapes of southern California where he lived for a time in the 1960s. He has worked with acrylic paints, watercolours, and pastels, constantly testing the power of colour within different mediums.
In the 1980s, Hockney used colour photocopying machines to create vibrant, saturated prints that captured his earlier works’ bold hues. He also created large-scale photomontages, called “joiners,” combining multiple photographs into a single image capturing his subjects’ intense colours and textures.
Hockney’s history with colour is one of experimentation and innovation, as he has continually pushed beyond of what is possible with colour. This understanding of colour is a powerful tool for expression, composition, symbolism, and can completely change the space that you’re in.
Sonya’s use of Colour
Sharing Hockney’s sense of expression with colour, is Sonya Winner and her Vibrant Contemporary Rug Collection. Like Hockney, Sonya constantly creates new possibilities of colour combinations and explores how they can change an environment. Sonya describes her rugs as the direct result of a colour experiment and demonstrates how colours overlay and mix often creating an illusion of transparency. To achieve this, Sonya often uses a variety of materials like tissue paper, coloured glass and plastic, and an assortment of coloured drawing tools when designing. Sonya has said that her emotional response to bold colour and shape is something that she wants everybody to connect to in her work.
Sonya Winner at her design studio in London
“Colour is key – it transforms an environment, changes mood, creates excitement, ambience, interest and simply makes you happy.” – Sonya Winner
Ultimately, David Hockney is an artist whose influence and importance cannot be overstated. His work has had a significant impact on art history, challenging traditional boundaries and encouraging experimentation. His work has pathed the stepping stones for contemporary artists and designers such as Sonya Winner, who to continue to push the limits of perspective and colour, fundamentally changing the world as we know it.
