David Hockney: Moving Focus

Verdict: Go see it

Where: Alan Cristea gallery, Mayfair

When: 19 January – 18 February 2012

First, I should set out that this exhibition is in no way on the same scale of Hockney’s other exhibit at the Royal Academy.  That’s a blockbuster exhibition and its scale cannot be matched by a much smaller gallery, but there are some real gems on display.

There may only be a limited number of works on display but there is a focus on the time he spent at the Hotel Acatlan in the 80s and the paintings of its courtyards.  These paintings use the bolder palette that is somewhat lacking at the Royal Academy exhibition and there’s a rawer feel to the exhibit with forms that aren’t clearly delineated and blank areas where he didn’t have time to paint.  This gives these paintings a vibrancy that brings them to life and is more akin to what Hockney has become famous for.

If like me you left the Royal Academy exhibit a little disappointed that he hadn’t captured the intensity of his past works (see my other review), then this is the perfect accompaniment to that exhibit – plus it’s only walking distance away so you can visit afterwards to compare and contrast.