David Hockney: Up Close

David Hockney, one of the most celebrated and influential living artists, will bring his immersive exhibition Bigger & Closer (not smaller and further away) to Manchester’s Aviva Studios on December 10th.

Following a smash-hit run at London’s Lightroom, this extraordinary retrospective heads north, transforming the vast Aviva Studios warehouse into a celebration of Hockney’s art and life.

Born in Bradford in 1937, Hockney is a proper Yorkshire lad who became one of the world’s best-known artists. Rising to fame in the 1960s pop art scene, he’s known for his bold colours, striking landscapes, and boundary-pushing use of technology. From the sun-soaked pools of Los Angeles to the rolling hills of Yorkshire and Normandy, Hockney’s art captures the beauty of everyday life with a warmth and humour that feels deeply British.

In Bigger & Closer, you’ll be taken on a canny journey through six themed chapters covering 60 years of his work. The exhibition includes iconic pieces, lesser-known gems, and fresh creations, all narrated by the man himself in a personal voiceover. With a score by Nico Muhly and direction from Mark Grimmer of 59 Productions, it’s a feast for the senses.

Hockney’s knack for innovation is at the heart of this show, from his Polaroid collages and digital iPad sketches to his experiments with perspective. Whether he’s capturing the vastness of the Grand Canyon or the fleeting joys of spring, his work invites us to see the world with fresh eyes. As Hockney puts it, “I’m very happy that my exhibition is going to Factory International in Manchester and that more people in the UK will be able to see my pictures bigger & closer than before. LOVE LIFE DH.”

Get your tickets here.