David Hockney's Iconic Contribution to the 1972 Munich Olympics
Celebrating Art and Sport: David Hockney's Dive into the Munich Olympics.
David Hockney, the acclaimed British artist celebrated for his pivotal role in the Pop Art movement, made a significant artistic contribution to the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. His creation, centred around the theme of diving, is a testament to his enduring lascination with water, an element that permeates much of his oeuvre, including the famed swimming pool series. This piece aptly titled "David Hockney Diver, Olympic Games Munich 1972" is a vibrant celebration of the fluidity and dynamism of diving, characterised by Hockney's signature use of vivid colours and a keen sense of movement.
The Intersection of Art and Sport
For the Munich 1972 Olympics, Hockney's artwork was part of an exclusive series of official posters, curated to showcase the symbiosis between art and sport. This initiative sought to transtorm the Olympic Games into a cultural festival that transcends athletic prowess, highlighting themes of peace, unity, and global cooperation. Hockney's contribution- through the lens of his distinctive artistic style- illustrates the grace of an athlete in mid-dive, encapsulating the essence or motion and the transient beauty of water.
A Cultural Milestone: The Munich 1972 Olympic Posters
The series of posters for the Munich Olympics, enriched by contributions from artists like David Hockney, is lauded for its artistic variety and the spotlight it casts on the fusion of art with sports.
By integrating the creative visions of renowned artists into the fabric of the Olympic Games, the organisers aimed to elevate the event into a grand celebration of cultural and athletic excellence on a global stage. "David Hockney Diver stands as a prominent emblem of this endeavour, symbolising the potential of major sporting events to serve as platforms for artistic innovation and cultural exchange."
Limited Edition Artworks: A Legacy of the 1972 Munich Games
In conjunction with his original artwork for the Munich Olympics, David Hockney also released a series of limited edition prints, which were designed to promote and commemorate the Games These prints were available in a limited run of 200, each individually signed and numbered in pencil by Hockney, representing the most sought-after collectibles from the series. Originally priced between 300 and 800 DM in 1972, these graphics embody a rare piece of Olympic history and the prints sell for £10,000's depending on condition.
Additionally, original posters were made available in a limited edition of 4,000 units. The production was split between Germany and the United States.
The original contract allowed 2,000 to be printed for Germany by Bruckman which had the signature printed within the image on a heavy weight paper stock. Another 2,000 were printed by Kennedy Graphics of New York on a lighter weight paper and had the signature in black ink beneath the image in the white footer of the poster.
The "David Hockney 1972 Olympic Games Munich" posters and prints remain a significant part of the artist's legacy, merging the worlds of art, sport, and cultural heritage.
See the full David Hockney collection available at the Artmarket Gallery, here.