iPad drawing in colours, printed on archival paper, with full margins, contained in the original blue fabric-covered portfolio. Image 43.8 x 33 cm (17 1/4 x 12 7/8 in.). Sheet 55.8 x 43.2 cm (21 7/8 x 17 in.) Signed and dated and numbered 226/250 in pencil, published by the artist (with their blind stamp) and Taschen, Berlin.
David Hockney, one of Britain’s foremost contemporary artists, has collaborated with a major publisher to create the largest book ever devoted to his art. The volume is so vast that it comes with its own adjustable bookstand and is as heavy as an armchair. Hockney’s is excited by the project and has been involved in the production at every stage, overseeing colour proofing and layouts through to selecting the more than 450 works for inclusion. “It is an autobiography in pictures, made by a person who loves pictures and makes them,” he said.
The fact that there is virtually no text was of particularly interest to Hockney, no art historians expansive essays or pretentious interpretations. It is a visual journey apart from a single page of 15 sentences handwritten by Hockney. It cleverly begins: “A book like this shouldn’t have much text …”
“I do think pictures should speak for themselves.” With the absence of text it encourages people to rely on their own eyes, he believes.
Published by Taschen, the book weighs in at a mighty 35kg, and comes complete with its own specially designed stand by Apple designer Marc Newson with legs in Hockney’s favourite blue, red and yellow and an acrylic platform. The book, complete with stand, will be available at the Artmarket Gallery and online at Artmarket.co.uk/davidhockney while stocks last; each signed book costs £1750.
Gallery director Robert Power says: “This is a rare opportunity to see this remarkable book, and it’s particularly fitting, given Hockney’s great love of this area, that it should be on display here during Hull’s year as the City of Culture.”