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Medium: Lithograph
Edition size: 100
Year: 1979
Size: H 104cm x W 75cm
Signed: Yes
Format: Signed Print
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One of the more staged portraits in the 1979 Gemini series, this depiction of Hockney’s close friend and muse Celia Birtwell shows the young textile designer wearing a suit and heels. The sense of artifice is emphasised with the inclusion of a still life, recalling so called ‘swagger portraits’ and yet subverting the genre by the lack of ornament in both style and subject. Hockney painted and sketched Celia many times throughout his career and she is the subject – along with her husband Ossie Clark and her cat Percy – of one of Hockney’s most famous paintings. She appears in the 1979 Gemini portfolio seven times in various poses and outfits, as if Hockney were producing a number of quick, sketchy studies before producing a finished portrait. Speaking of his love for the designer as both friend and subject Hockney has said, “Celia has a beautiful face, a very rare face with lots of things in it which appeal to me. It shows aspects of her, like her intuitive knowledge and her kindness, which I think is the greatest virtue. To me she’s such a special person.”
British-born artist David Hockney is a kaleidoscopic force in the art world. Born in 1937, Hockney's vibrant palette and innovative techniques have left an indelible mark on contemporary art. A pioneer of the British Pop Art movement in the 1960s, he seamlessly transitioned through various styles, from photo collages to vivid landscapes. Renowned for his exploration of light and space, Hockney's versatility extends to painting, printmaking, photography, and stage design. A captivating storyteller, his works often capture the essence of modern life with a playful yet profound touch. With a career spanning decades, Hockney remains an enduring visionary in the ever-evolving art world.