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Hockney's Immersive Worlds Arrive Down Under
3 Aug
Summary
- Two major David Hockney exhibitions open in Australia later this year.
- An immersive show features his recorded narration guiding visitors.
- A portraiture exhibition spans over 60 works made across 30 years.
Australia will host two major exhibitions dedicated to the celebrated British artist David Hockney, following his passing. The National Gallery of Australia in Canberra will present "David Hockney: Portraits in Print" from September 2026 to February 2027. This exhibition will feature more than 60 works created over three decades, providing an intimate perspective on his life and artistic practice.
Opening in October 2026 and running until January 2027, Sydney's Carriageworks will stage "David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)." This immersive experience, developed with Hockney himself, includes his recorded narration, guiding audiences through his processes and philosophy. Having already drawn 650,000 visitors in other global locations, this show treats Hockney's commentary as integral to the artwork.
These two exhibitions, operating independently, offer distinct yet complementary experiences for art enthusiasts. The immersive show serves as an accessible gateway to understanding Hockney's extensive body of work, while the Canberra exhibition provides a deep dive into his portraiture. Hockney, renowned for his pop art during the 1960s and iconic pool paintings, continued to innovate throughout his career, exploring photo-collages, landscape painting, and digital art on his iPad until near the end of his life.
