David Hockney returns to the Royal Academy of Arts with a new body of work, opening to the public on the 2nd July. But what have critics made of it? 

The Guardian:****Jonathan Jones wrote: “Another fascinating experiment by Hockney.”

The Times:  **** Rachel Campbell-Johnston commented that: “If you want to imagine the thoughts that are locked inside that head notice the pattern that zigzags over the carpet.”

Evening Standard: ***Matthew Collings said: “this unknowability is both the chief quality and defect of the show both at once. There is no answer as to why the form of the figures is so formless, why differences of physiognomy, pose and clothing amount to so little in the way of human drama.”

The Telegraph: *** Mark Hudson found that: “Yet while this exhibition presents itself as an exercise in one of them – the portrait – it is in many ways as much a piece of pop art as anything Hockney has done.”

Art Info: “Seeing more than 80 portraits all staged on the same backdrop — which changes from blue to green as Hockney sees fit — and on the same white chair shows this mastery at its best, with Hockney able to define the personality of each person in a neutral setting.”

It’s Nice That: “In 82 Portraits and 1 Still-life Hockney is not just painting his friends and family, rather it’s an exercise in control and limits, seeing how far he can push himself as an artist at 77.”

Culture Whisper: **** ” Through the popping colour, it’s clear that Hockney has painted these sitters as realistically as he can.”

David Hockney: 82 Portraits and 1 Still-Life opens at the Royal Academy of Arts on the 2nd July, running until the 2nd October. To book tickets visit: https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/david-hockney-portraits