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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
One of the most insightful books - interviews - I have ever read between an artist I knew relatively little about (outside of his extensive career and beautiful work) and a renowned art critic.
I read this from Namjoon's recommendations and now understand why he loves this book. At 85 years of age, David Hockney is still full of vitality and innovation that persists through his artwork and his understanding of the craft. As Martin Gayford becomes closer to Hockney and documents his conversations with the artist, we too can see the reasons behind Hockney's endless originality. He persists in creating new studies, despite finding his personal style, the hunger for documenting reality over and over again never fading. Hockney continues to utilize new mediums and learn about new techniques through the history of art to adapt and create with the times.
It is admirable, the way Hockney became settled in one part of Yorkshire, England, fascinated with the minute changes in his daily scenery - and thus, never tiring of drawing the environment through whatever changes occur.
As a budding photographer, Hockney's views on the misinterpretation of photography (that it depicts reality in its clearest form when the photograph created is still is within the eye of the photographer) - yet how it can contribute to the quickly changing nature art and art techniques in this day and age are fascinating. His insights into visualizing the world, as an artist trained to depict the world, is equally fascinating "Most people don't look at a face for too long; they tend to look away. But you do if you are painting a portrait. [...] "Drawing makes you see things clearer, and clearer, and clearer still." (84)
I learned significantly from this book - on art, on living quietly, on seeing, on the changes of time - and urge people to read this.
I read this from Namjoon's recommendations and now understand why he loves this book. At 85 years of age, David Hockney is still full of vitality and innovation that persists through his artwork and his understanding of the craft. As Martin Gayford becomes closer to Hockney and documents his conversations with the artist, we too can see the reasons behind Hockney's endless originality. He persists in creating new studies, despite finding his personal style, the hunger for documenting reality over and over again never fading. Hockney continues to utilize new mediums and learn about new techniques through the history of art to adapt and create with the times.
It is admirable, the way Hockney became settled in one part of Yorkshire, England, fascinated with the minute changes in his daily scenery - and thus, never tiring of drawing the environment through whatever changes occur.
As a budding photographer, Hockney's views on the misinterpretation of photography (that it depicts reality in its clearest form when the photograph created is still is within the eye of the photographer) - yet how it can contribute to the quickly changing nature art and art techniques in this day and age are fascinating. His insights into visualizing the world, as an artist trained to depict the world, is equally fascinating "Most people don't look at a face for too long; they tend to look away. But you do if you are painting a portrait. [...] "Drawing makes you see things clearer, and clearer, and clearer still." (84)
I learned significantly from this book - on art, on living quietly, on seeing, on the changes of time - and urge people to read this.
Fascinating read. Hockney actually makes me look at things differently!
informative
fast-paced
I have more to say than usual about this book, so I'll start by saying that even though I'm sure I drank this up because I'm an artist, I think others could enjoy it too. The concepts that are discussed are very accessible. So if you'd like learning about art but get turned off by the elitist discussion that often surrounds it, you won't find that here.
Reading this felt so exhilarating! A great deal of the book is Hockney describing his approach to landscape painting, and really delving into what he sees and feels when he looks out at a landscape. I felt like yelling "Yes! Yes! That's it exactly!" My paintings are totally different from his, but I felt so in tune with his passion, and his attitude. If someone wanted to know more about my work I could just plagiarize this book. ...Not that I would! But as an artist its just so exciting to feel that someone else thinks the way you do - if I met him he might understand me! Wow!
Ok, so aside from the personal connection to Hockney's landscape work there was plenty, plenty more of interest - his investigation into Caravaggio's work, his discussion of the impact of photography throughout history, his embrace of new technology, his connection between art and music. Love.
Reading this felt so exhilarating! A great deal of the book is Hockney describing his approach to landscape painting, and really delving into what he sees and feels when he looks out at a landscape. I felt like yelling "Yes! Yes! That's it exactly!" My paintings are totally different from his, but I felt so in tune with his passion, and his attitude. If someone wanted to know more about my work I could just plagiarize this book. ...Not that I would! But as an artist its just so exciting to feel that someone else thinks the way you do - if I met him he might understand me! Wow!
Ok, so aside from the personal connection to Hockney's landscape work there was plenty, plenty more of interest - his investigation into Caravaggio's work, his discussion of the impact of photography throughout history, his embrace of new technology, his connection between art and music. Love.
DNF at 52%.
Me, with no knowledge or interest in art, entirely out of touch with painters and art history: reads this book just because Namjoon also did.
Me, with no knowledge or interest in art, entirely out of touch with painters and art history: reads this book just because Namjoon also did.
A selection of Gayford's meetings and conversations with Hockney during the time he was preparing his paintings of the Yorkshire Wolds for a huge exhibition at The Royal Academy. Like Spring Cannot Be Cancelled, this is chatty, fascinating and well put together with a fantastic selection of Hockney's works reproduced in colour and black and white along with other works that he refers to and draws inspiration from.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
A couple of years ago I watched John Berger's Ways of Seeing documentary (it's on YouTube) on how artists look at the world. I remember it being mind opening to me. I pretty much had the same, but even more impactful feeling, while reading A Bigger Message. Reading about how Hockney sees and experiences the world and the eloquent directness he uses to express himself was a joy to read. It also has the added bonus of having lots of amazing pictures, paintings and drawings, both by Hockney and others, to illustrate the text.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I will never be an artist, maybe a doodler but thats about it. But I do believe that reading about an artist and their visions, will always make your mind open up to the possibilities and views the world is seldom aware of.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced