His Majesty the King has led the nation in tribute to David Hockney, the eminent British painter and printmaker, as Buckingham Palace announces a major retrospective of the artist’s work at the Queen’s Gallery. The exhibition, scheduled to open in spring, will span seven decades of Hockney’s career, from his early Yorkshire landscapes to his vibrant poolside scenes and recent digital experiments on the iPad. It marks the first time the Royal Collection has dedicated a full exhibition to a living artist, a decision the King personally championed.
“David Hockney is a national treasure whose eye for colour and light has redefined British art,” the King said in a statement released from Buckingham Palace. “His work reminds us of the joy in the natural world, even as we face unprecedented environmental challenges. I am delighted that the Royal Collection can share his genius with the public.”
The exhibition, titled “Hockney: A Celebration of Life,” will include over 150 works drawn from public and private collections, including pieces rarely seen in the UK. Highlights include “A Bigger Picture,” a monumental composition of the Yorkshire Wolds that Hockney painted en plein air during his return to England in the 2000s, and “The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate,” a series of iPad drawings that capture the seasonal transformation of the countryside. The show will also feature a selection of his iconic California pool paintings, such as “Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures),” which sold for $90 million in 2018, making it one of the most expensive works by a living artist.
Caroline de Guitaut, deputy surveyor of the King’s Works of Art, told reporters that the exhibition “reflects Hockney’s relentless curiosity and his ability to find new ways to see the world. His use of technology, whether it be photocollage or digital drawing, is a testament to his belief that art must evolve with the times.”
The announcement coincides with the King’s broader push to elevate the arts as a means of addressing climate anxiety. In his speech at the opening of COP29 last month, the King argued that “the arts have a crucial role to play in helping us imagine a sustainable future.” Hockney, now 87, has been increasingly vocal about climate change. In a 2022 interview he said, “We are destroying the only planet we have. Artists must speak out.”
Reaction from the art world has been effusive. Nicholas Cullinan, director of the National Portrait Gallery, called Hockney “the greatest living British artist” and praised the Queen’s Gallery for “taking this bold step.” The exhibition is expected to attract record crowds, with tickets already in high demand.
The Queen’s Gallery, situated at Buckingham Palace, has hosted major shows on Leonardo da Vinci, Holbein, and the Dutch masters. Adding Hockney to that roster signals a shift toward contemporary relevance. The gallery’s press release states the exhibition aims to “trace Hockney’s lifelong dialogue with tradition and modernity.”
For Hockney, who grew up in Bradford and studied at the Royal College of Art, the honour is profound. In a brief statement, he said: “To have my work hung in the Queen’s Gallery is something I never expected. The King has been a supporter for years. I am grateful and hope the show brings people some light.”
The exhibition runs from April to October 2025. Proceeds will support the Prince’s Trust, a charity the King founded in 1976 to help young people develop skills and confidence. In a time of environmental and social unrest, the confluence of art, monarchy, and activism offers a moment of rare optimism.
