Hockney by Randall Wright at the MFA in Boston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston presents Hockney, a new documentary by Randall Wright that examines the work and personal life of the beloved artist David Hockney.

Hockney, a new documentary by Randall Wright

Hockney is the definitive exploration of one of the most significant artists of his generation. For the first time, David Hockney has given access to his personal archive of photographs and film, resulting in an unparalleled visual diary of his life. The film chronicles Hockney’s vast career, from his early life in working-class Bradford, where his love for pictures was developed through his admiration for cinema, to his relocation to Hollywood where his life long struggle to escape labels (‘queer’, ‘working class’, figurative artist’) was fully realized. David Hockney offers theories about art the universe and everything: “I’m interested in ways of looking and trying to think of it in simple ways. If you can communicate that of course people will respond, after all everybody does look.“ But as Hockney reveals, it’s the hidden self-interrogation that gives his famously optimistic pictures their unexpected edge and attack.

Hockney traces his struggle to escape labels, to live the American or Californian dream, but paradoxically never to break the ties to the childhood that formed him. Did Yorkshire awkwardness in his blood give him the willpower to survive relationship problems, and later the AIDS plague that killed the majority of his friends? Acclaimed filmmaker Randall Wright offers a unique view of this unconventional artist who is now reaching new peaks of popularity worldwide, and, at 78, is as charismatic as ever, working in the studio seven days a week.

Tickets may be purchased now at mfa.org/film, by calling the MFA Ticketing Line at 800.440.6975, or in person at any MFA ticket desk. Tickets are $9 for members, $11 nonmembers, and $5 for students at local universities.

Video: Hockney by Randall Wright. Official Trailer.

The Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Film Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is funded by the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation.

Film at the MFA is sponsored by Bank of America.

The Media Sponsor is The Boston Globe.