Neave Couple Recall Hockney's 2008 Bridlington Years, Including 40ft Yorkshire Masterpiece
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 21
Neave Couple Recall Hockney's 2008 Bridlington Years, Including 40ft Yorkshire Masterpiece
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 21
Summary
David and Susan Neave said David Hockney painted their portraits in his Bridlington bedroom shortly before leaving the town, recalling multiple sittings after the artist's death earlier this month at nearly 89.
A 2008 chance meeting at a concert led to regular visits to Hockney's home, where the Beverley couple watched him work and said he constantly explained his artistic process.
One work they witnessed was Bigger Trees Near Warter, a 40ft-by-15ft painting spread across 50 canvases that required a warehouse studio and a wheeled chair so Hockney could move around it.
They also described his custom-rigged vehicle for filming The Four Seasons, Woldgate Woods and said the Yorkshire Wolds, rather than the nearby sea, remained his main inspiration.
The couple said Hockney's East Yorkshire roots and years in Bridlington helped draw visitors to the area, including Paul McCartney, who also recently shared memories of visiting him there.