Hockney: The Biography Volume 1 by Christopher Simon Sykes - Biography & Memoir - Hardback

Condition: Brand New
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781846057083
Publisher: Century
Age Range: Adult

Overview
Hockney: The Biography Volume 1 is Christopher Simon Sykes' definitive, authorised account of the early life and rise of David Hockney, Britain's best-loved living artist. Covering Hockney's childhood in Bradford, his years at art college, the electric cultural scene of 1960s London and his move to sun-soaked California, this hardback biography draws on unprecedented access to Hockney's own notebooks, letters and paintings, plus exclusive interviews with the artist, his family and closest friends, to deliver a vivid and deeply personal portrait.

About the Book
Spanning the formative decades of David Hockney's extraordinary career, this first volume traces his journey from a grammar-school boy in industrial Bradford, through his scholarship at the Royal College of Art, to becoming one of the defining figures of modern British art. Christopher Simon Sykes charts Hockney's precocious talent and determination to live on his own terms, capturing the excitement of 1960s London as Hockney mixed with poets, pop stars and fellow artists who defined the era. The narrative follows him across the Atlantic to Los Angeles, where the clean light, modernist architecture and famous swimming pools inspired some of his most iconic paintings. Sykes also explores Hockney's pioneering opera set and costume designs, and the acclaim that followed his major exhibitions. What distinguishes this biography is its intimacy: Sykes was given rare, direct access to Hockney's private archive, weaving personal correspondence, candid family recollections and the artist's own reflections into a rounded, honest account. Rather than a dry survey of exhibitions and sales, this is a warm, human story of ambition, friendship and creative breakthrough, set against seismic cultural change in Britain and America. Readers interested in twentieth-century art history or the life of one of the world's most recognisable painters will find this volume a rich, novelistic read.

• Authorised biography written with Hockney's direct cooperation and access to his private notebooks
• Covers the pivotal early decades, from Bradford to Swinging London to California
• Rich cultural detail on 1960s art, music and society
• Brand new hardback edition, ideal for gifting to art lovers
• Written by an accomplished biographer with a distinctive, readable style
• A fascinating companion for fans of Hockney's paintings and stage designs

About the Author
Christopher Simon Sykes grew up at Sledmere and became a respected journalist, photographer and writer. His work has appeared in Vogue, House & Garden, the Sunday Telegraph magazine and Architectural Digest, and he wrote and presented a BBC Two series on country-house cookery. He has authored several books and photographed many more, including titles on the National Trust, the Rolling Stones and the gardens of Buckingham Palace. He lives in North London with his family.

Why You'll Love This Biography
An intimate, beautifully researched portrait of a British art icon, told with warmth, insight and unprecedented access. Perfect for art lovers, biography fans and anyone fascinated by the cultural upheavals of the 1960s.

Please Note: Due to regional publishing variations, the UK ISBN and edition cover may differ slightly from images shown.