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14th out of 25 books
—
13 voters
David Hockney: The Biography
Drawing on exclusive and unprecedented access to David Hockney’s extensive archives, notebooks, and paintings, interviews with family, friends, and on Hockney himself, Christopher Simon Sykes provides a colorful and intimate portrait of one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century.
Born in 1937, David Hockney grew up in a northern English town during the day...more
Born in 1937, David Hockney grew up in a northern English town during the day...more
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
April 17th 2012
by Nan A. Talese
(first published November 1st 2011)
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Fascinating biography of an artist that I greatly admire. Sykes certainly had access and carefully attributed his quotes. Sykes put together a coherent and compelling story.
I knocked off a point because he was sloppy with the details about Colorado on page 161*. I know Boulder and Colorado geography & history well and Sykes got them horribly wrong. That led me to wonder how much else he got wrong.
After that, I took everything with a grain of salt.
It's a great story, though. It's not just abo...more
I knocked off a point because he was sloppy with the details about Colorado on page 161*. I know Boulder and Colorado geography & history well and Sykes got them horribly wrong. That led me to wonder how much else he got wrong.
After that, I took everything with a grain of salt.
It's a great story, though. It's not just abo...more
The book's acknowledgments outline the rules of engagement between author and subject: "He would talk to me in his time, not mine, and he would authorise the book, but not endorse it" (p. xv). Thus begins the first of what is doubtless a two (or more?)-part biography chronicling the life and work of 20th-century artist David Hockney. Sykes provided what I found to be interesting insights and backstory to the life and work of this artist. He likewise appears to have been given remarkable access t...more
"Energetic, absorbing ... Sykes skillfully integrates Hockney’s private history with his public, artistic life to provide unusual insight into both his emotional and professional life."
—Publishers Weekly
"Intimate, vivid ... A personal, lively look at this extraordinary artist’s career. Readers will eagerly await the second volume."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Prodigiously entertaining."
—Financial Times
“A chatty, knowledgeable, insider's biography, full of anecdotes.”
—The Guardian
“Christopher Simon Sykes is q...more
—Publishers Weekly
"Intimate, vivid ... A personal, lively look at this extraordinary artist’s career. Readers will eagerly await the second volume."
—Kirkus Reviews
"Prodigiously entertaining."
—Financial Times
“A chatty, knowledgeable, insider's biography, full of anecdotes.”
—The Guardian
“Christopher Simon Sykes is q...more
I have always enjoyed the work of David Hockney and welcomed the opportunity to learn more about him. This biography, while at times a bit gossipy, was a well written summary of the first part of his prolific and creative lifetime. It was also interesting to read how he was so comfortable being out about his sexuality at such an early age, setting a wonderful example for people coming after him. I am looking forward to the second installment of this biography.
I got through nearly 100 pages of this glorified gossip column before giving up. I guess I wanted a critical biography, but this isn't it. DH sounds like a nice, upbeat guy though, bu you can probably tell this much by looking at his work. I wanted more.
Interesting book. Like many biographies, the story of his emergence to fame and accomplishment was the most interesting. It's disappointing that the book only goes through 1975.
Is there any idea in painting that David Hockney didn't have first? Chock-a-block with details, this book is only part one (of two, one hopes).
Another non-fiction book which I really enjoyed.
What a charmed life he has led!
Great book
Biog H6859s 2012
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