Red Flowers And Green Leaves, Separate, May 1988
Signed Print

A still life with a difference, Red Flowers And Green Leaves, Separate, May 1988 shows Hockney doing what he does best, experimenting with new mediums. After working extensively across etching and lithography, in 1986 he turned to the photocopier to produce a series of prints that would become known as Home Made Prints. Playing with layers, colours and textures, Hockney was able to recreate the multifacetedness of techniques such as screen printing to create dynamic works that comprise some of his favourite subjects, including flowers, interiors, and of course, the still life. Here we find a vase that resembles a straight edged volcano holding three exuberant blooms in various shades of red and pink. Alongside it sits a simple straight pot, which holds a plant that is composed of eight unconnected leaves. Beyond the vessels, the background and surface becomes abstract as planes of colour come together to form a bright and yet slightly surreal scene. With this shift into digital printing we can see evidence of Hockney’s unfailing ability to take on new mediums and techniques, for which he shows a relentless enthusiasm that continues to this day through his prolific output of iPad drawings.