Untitled No. 516, from A Bigger Book: Art Edition D

Untitled No. 516, executed by David Hockney in 2016 in an edition of 250 depicts a ceramic vase atop a blue chequered table cloth holding an assortment of flowers and ferns. The backdrop is a sketched red cross hatching, adding depth to the print. Hockney began sketching flowers from his bed when he bought his first iPhone in 2009. The energetic and lush quality of the flowers is contrasted by the more spartan backdrop. Throughout his career, owing to his technical curiosity, Hockney has successfully continued to reinvent himself without losing his artistic DNA. Whilst using digital media, Hockney is freed from the limitations of materials, supply and time. The iPad’s backlight allows one to paint at any time, whilst the colour wheel within the application presents an unlimited range of colours. Hockney’s digital works challenge the norms of conventional art and demonstrate the artist’s continuing innovativeness, which has spanned his decades-long career.