Turquoise. Coral. Salmon pink. Cornflower blue. The vibrant hues of David Hockney’s latest series of paintings seem to radiate towards the viewer’s gaze, capturing it for a moment.
Although
82 Portraits and 1 Still-Life portrays friends and colleagues of Hockney’s, the paintings do not attempt to reveal a profound insight into the personalities of the sitters. Rather, colour is the dominant power. Hockney’s use of vivid acrylic paint echoes the unnatural tones Fauvism – an artistic movement of which Matisse was a member.
The series is held together by several consistent elements: the turquoise and cornflower blue walls in the background, and a simple upholstered chair. The effect of having the sitter look directly towards the viewer is at times unnerving – together with the chair, this arrangement suggests that an interview is taking place. But who is interviewing whom? The painted people are giving little away.
David Hockney RA: 82 Portraits and 1 Still-life
Until 2 October 2016
Royal Academy
