This image courtesy of xboronat at DeviantART

As one of a very small group of people who have the ability to ‘see’ sound and ‘hear’ colour, David Hockney’s talents also enable him to produce paintings that have strong perspective and an unparalleled use of colour. A virtual recluse in his Californian home, Hockney only leaves its confines when strictly necessary (usually to oversee major exhibitions of his work), preferring to experiment with form and colour in the grounds of the house. The Bradford-born artist has a distinct and universally recognised style, stemming from his philosophy that he must use his gift to give pleasure to the eye.

With a brief sojourn in New York (during which time he managed to befriend Andy Warhol and Dennis Hopper) the twenty-something Hockney eventually made his way to California. There he spent his time hanging out on Santa Monica pier admiring the well-sculpted men and the architecture, much of which appeared in his work from this period. In the Eighties, he turned to photo collage, fuelling his fascination for viewing life through a window frame. Around this time he also began a series of self-portraits, allowing the public an insight into his previously intensely private life. The decade also brought new technology, and Hockney faxed drawings to friends, as a result, while these transmitted images had no commercial value, they represented a true sharing of his art, fulfilling his ideal of pleasing the eye. There are some strong similarities between this method and modern web sites such as Flickr.

The Sky Arts documentary profiling Hockney is a journey through the artist’s life, accompanied by his own commentary, which allows the viewer to see the world through his eyes. Mostly filmed in his Californian retreat, Hockney’s surroundings give sense to his paintings, particularly the iconic swimming pool around which a great deal of his art centred. The profile airs today at 12pm and 9 November at 10.30 pm, and you can share your opinions of Hockney or the show by jumping over to the Sky Arts site.