At an age when most artists would be content to rest on their laurels, David Hockney is charging forward with the energy of a man half his 88 years. His latest exhibition at Paris's Fondation Louis Vuitton presents a collection of vibrantly fresh works that have never been seen by the public, proving the Yorkshire-born master remains at the forefront of artistic innovation.
A Digital Renaissance in the City of Light
The exhibition reveals Hockney's ongoing love affair with digital technology, particularly his iPad, which has become his sketchbook of choice. These aren't mere digital experiments but fully realised works that maintain the distinctive Hockney aesthetic—bold colours, playful perspectives, and that unmistakable joy in creation.
What's most remarkable is how the artist has managed to make the digital feel profoundly human. The brushstrokes, though created on a screen, carry the same emotional weight and spontaneity as his physical paintings. It's as if Hockney has found a way to pour his soul directly into the circuitry.
Still Seeing the World with Wonder
The new works continue Hockney's lifelong fascination with landscape and nature, though now viewed through both digital and traditional lenses. There's a sense that even after eight decades of looking, he's still discovering new ways of seeing—still finding wonder in the play of light through trees or the particular blue of a swimming pool.
Critics might have expected Hockney to settle into a comfortable late style, but this exhibition proves otherwise. The works feel urgent, contemporary, and absolutely relevant. They demonstrate an artist not just keeping up with the times but helping to define them.
Why This Exhibition Matters Now
In an art world often obsessed with youth, Hockney stands as a powerful counter-argument. His continued relevance challenges our assumptions about creativity and aging. The Paris show isn't just another retrospective; it's evidence of an artist still very much in dialogue with the present moment.
The exhibition at Fondation Louis Vuitton runs through spring 2026, offering art lovers a rare opportunity to witness an old master creating what feels remarkably like the work of a young innovator.
