George and Mary Christie David Hockney, 2002. Watercolour on paper (4 sheets), 1220 x 915 mm © 2003 David Hockney

December 2002

FIVE DOUBLE PORTRAITS BY DAVID HOCKNEY
16 January - 29 June 2003
Room 40
Admission Free

A selection of new double portraits by David Hockney (b.1937) will go on display at the National Portrait Gallery on 16 January 2003. The centrepiece of this display will be the recently completed portrait of Glyndebourne opera impressario Sir George Christie, and his wife Mary, commissioned by the Gallery. This acquisition is a significant addition to the Gallery's collection of works by one of Britain's most celebrated contemporary artists. The display coincides with an exhibition of new landscapes and portraits by Hockney at Annely Juda Fine Art, London.

This portrait commission became the catalyst for a larger series of watercolour double portraits of Hockney's friends, four of which will be displayed alongside the Christies at the National Portrait Gallery and others to be shown at Annely Juda Fine Art. Dating back to his iconic portrait of Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy in the Tate collection, Hockney has long been interested in the dynamics of the double portrait. In search of a contemporary approach, Hockney began exploring watercolour further earlier this year and found its immediacy and fluidity lent itself to producing portraits directly from life. Painted on a large-scale on four watercolour tablets, each portrait was produced in one seven-hour sitting.

David Hockney studied at the Royal College of Art from 1959-1962 and was instrumental in the founding of the British Pop Art movement. He has had numerous solo exhibitions worldwide and is one of Britain's most internationally acclaimed artists. He lives in Los Angeles.

For further press information about Five Double Portraits by David Hockney at the National Portrait Gallery please contact Hazel Sutherland Tel 020 7312 2452 Email hsutherland@npg.org.uk

http://www.npg.org.uk/live/hockney.asp