David Hockney’s life in art is focus of new BBC TV programme

David Hockney: A Life in Art – The Interview will see the 87-year-old sit down for a chat with Katie Razzall.

Ahead of his biggest show ever opening in Paris, the star talks about growing old, a recent visit from the King, and his two big loves – smoking and painting.

It will air at 10pm on BBC Four this Tuesday, May 6.

The programme is followed by another chance to see David Hockney: A Bigger Picture – Imagine (10.25pm), David Hockney: Double Portrait (11.20pm) and Face To Face with David Hockney (12.10am).

David Hockney at Bradford Central Library in 1979 At just 11-years-old, David Hockney decided he wanted to be an artist and he’s still creating new works to this day.

He has gone from honing his craft at the Bradford College of Art to becoming one of the most influential British artists in recent history.

The former Wellington Primary School pupil’s father was an accountant and conscientious objector in the Second World War, and his mum was a devout Methodist and strict vegetarian.

He went to the Royal College of Art, where he refused to write an essay required for the final examination and said students should be assessed on their creations.

His career saw him teach at several universities. His art has sold for millions over the years with some of his most famous works including a series of paintings of swimming pools, dogs, green landscapes, and portraits of friends.

Over the years, he has experimented with painting, drawing, printmaking, watercolours, photography and photo collages, iPad drawing, and much more.

Hockney’s use of film and photography is now the focus of an exhibition at the National Science & Media Museum.

This Hockney piece featuring the Media Museum has not been on display for 25 years (Image: T&A) Taking place until May 18, 2025 during Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture, visitors can explore Hockney’s video installation The Four Seasons: Woldgate Woods, photo collages, and much more.

Over at Salts Mill, an exhibition named 20 Flowers for 2025 and Some Bigger Pictures, is showing Hockney’s series of iPad flower paintings and accompanying large-scale landscape and abstract works.

Also on view, for the first time in Europe, is a six-screen video installation revealing recordings of Hockney’s brushstrokes on his iPad, showing the creation of ‘10th – 22nd June 2021, Water Lilies in the Pond with Pots of Flowers.’ It gives an insight into how the artist works.