I could tell you every little piece of the puzzle that makes up Hockney: A Graphic Life (BioGraphics) by Simon Elliott, but then you would not have a reason to read it, and I think you really should. If you are not the usual reader for graphic novels; do not know much about David Hockney; or even if you are not a huge fan of biographies, don’t worry about it. This format might be a great way to start it for adults. This book is an experience and that leads to… I could write my feelings on every little detail that happens and/or grabbed me, but again, you would not have to read it.
This is a highlighted biography of the artist. The illustrations are both inspired by and try to capture Hockney’s work. A conversational narrative allows the subject to be presented in an accessible manner. Knowing the author is a fan (you can tell by their writing style), most things are skewed towards Hockney in a positive manner. Yet, you do see some of the confidence/arrogance and talent/lack-thereof (depending on your personal opinion) in a fairly even presentation. I found out things about him that I did not know, and I had read a picture book about him a few years back, and came away with an appreciation for the art. I do not think I like him as an artist, but can acknowledge the importance of their work historically, and the impact they have on the art world today.
As in currently. As in he’s still kicking and adapting his work to fit today’s technology, outlooks and his own personal hills to climb. Not that he has to climb any hills if he doesn’t want to, since a painting of his recently sold at auction for the most amount of money for a living artist, ever (and it was A LOT of zeros following a larger number to start with) he can afford to let someone else do it for him! But the one thing I took away from this book was that he wants to do it his way, as he always has and will.