Exhibition by David Hockney now open at the MAC

Marking his 80th year, this eagerly anticipated exhibition entitled David Hockney: I draw, I do will focus on the artist’s early work including the famous ‘Paper Pool’ series, alongside work from the current decade, all of which celebrates Hockney’s interest in drawing.

Last night the MAC celebrated the launch of I draw, I do with an opening event for around 200 people. Speaking at the event was the close friend of David Hockney, Lady Dufferin, Noirin McKinney of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and MAC Chief Executive Anne McReynolds.

Hockney is a painter, printmaker, photographer and designer and much like Andy Warhol at the MAC in 2013, this collection marks another first for Belfast. The MAC presents this Hockney exhibition in advance of the many celebrations that will happen next year.

Hugh Mulholland, senior curator at the MAC, said: “We are delighted to be presenting the first significant exhibition of David Hockney’s work in Ireland to date. The exhibition focuses on Hockney’s formative years at Bradford Regional College of Art in the 1950s and will include rarely seen anatomical and observational drawings, early graphite portraits as well as significant later works which demonstrate Hockney’s continued interest in pushing the boundaries of his practice using new technologies.

“We are very pleased to be able to show a series of his iPad portraits of family and friends as well as some of his well-known works from The Arrival of Spring, 2011, which many visitors may recognise. At the core of all of this work is Hockney’s commitment to the critical importance of the act of drawing and how the early training at art school is drawn on throughout one's creative life”.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Brian Kingston applauded the MAC for its role in putting Belfast on the cultural map.

“Belfast City Council is delighted to support the MAC in bringing this world-class exhibition to the city ahead of the Tate’s David Hockney retrospective next year,” he said.

The exhibition continues in the MAC until 16 October. Information on how to get a ticket.