(Image: Agency)
A GALLERY dedicated to one of Britain’s most celebrated artists is set to reopen.
The David Hockney Gallery at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford will reopen on Wednesday, October 21, following a major update.
The revamped gallery, which will display a selection of early and later works by the Bradford-born artist, will explore David Hockney’s artistic beginnings and the influence of his hometown on his development.
Councillor Ian Walker, executive member for neighbourhoods and communities at Bradford Council, said: "David Hockney is one of Bradford’s most famous sons and his loss was felt here in his home city and around the world.
"We’re incredibly proud that Bradford Council’s museums and galleries service cares for such an important collection of his work.
"Bringing these works together with Hockney’s own connection to Cartwright Hall gives visitors a special opportunity to see where the story of one of Britain’s greatest artists began."
The reopening comes just months after Hockney’s death on June 11 at the age of 88.
New displays and interpretation will provide visitors with fresh insights into some of Hockney’s earliest work and highlight the significance of Bradford in shaping his artistic voice.
Cartwright Hall holds particular personal meaning in Hockney’s story.
As a child, he visited the gallery and later recalled: "I used to love going to Cartwright Hall as a kid.
"It was the only place in Bradford I could see real paintings."
The dedicated David Hockney Gallery first opened in 2017 to mark the artist’s 80th birthday.
Most recently, it played a central role in Bradford’s UK City of Culture year, hosting the Turner Prize and attracting more than 80,000 visitors.
Before Hockney’s works return to the space, the gallery housed Neo Fauna, an exhibition by artist and comedian Jim Moir (also known as Vic Reeves), which featured colourful depictions of birds and wildlife and attracted over 40,000 visits.
The reopening will restore the space to its original purpose as the David Hockney Gallery, serving as a civic tribute to one of Britain’s most influential cultural figures.
The updated gallery will explore Hockney’s early development and the beginnings of the artistic voice that would make him famous worldwide. The displays will offer a new perspective on his formative years while celebrating his lifelong connection to Bradford.
Cartwright Hall is located in Lister Park.
More details are available at www.bradfordmuseums.org.