At 77 years of age, David Hockney continues his relentless endeavor to develop new methods of image making. Most recently, the artist has devised what he calls “photographic drawings,” which are constructed from hundreds of images, all captured at close range. Once the digital images are shot and gathered, they are seamlessly stitched together and enhanced to construct a singular composition, but with multiple vanishing points. 

This approach echoes Hockney’s earlier photo collages that used processed film prints, one of the most recognized being Pearblossom Hwy., 11-18th April, 1986 #2 (Collection of J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA). Hockney even pays homage to this work in his photographic drawing “A Bigger Card Players” (pictured top).

“Everything in the photograph is taken very close. Each photograph has a vanishing point, so instead of just one I get many vanishing points,” says Hockney. It is this that gives them an almost 3D effect without the glasses. I think this opens up photography into something new.” 

See new works by Hockney in his forthcoming L.A. Louver exhibition “Painting and Drawing” – opens July 15th!

IMAGES: (top to bottom) David Hockney, A Bigger Card Players, 2015, photographic drawing printed on paper, mounted on aluminum, 72 ¾ x 70 in., Edition of 12; David Hockney, Pearblossom Hwy 11-18th April 1986 #2, 1986, photographic collage, 47 x 64 ½ in./50 ½ x 67 in. Collection of J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA