David Hockney Opens Lightroom, New Art Space in King’s Cross

David Hockney, one of the world's most popular and garlanded living artists has created an amazing new show, David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) to launch Lightroom, an extraordinary four-storey-high space in London’s King’s Cross. Equipped with the cutting edge digital projection and audio technology, Lightroom is described as a new home for spectacular artist-led shows and the show is the result of three years' close collaboration between Hockney and the venue’s creators.

In Bigger & Closer, Hockney uses the innovative venue’s facilities to take the audience on a personal journey through his art, featuring iconic paintings alongside some rarely seen pieces and some newly created work. His life-long fascination with the possibilities of new media is given vibrant expression in a show that invites visitors to see the world through his eyes.

Comprising a cycle of six themed chapters, with a specially composed score by Nico Muhly and a commentary by the artist himself, Hockney reveals his process to us. You hear his voice as you see him on video screens experimenting with perspective, using photography as a way of 'drawing with a camera', capturing the passing of time in his Polaroid collages and the joy of spring on his iPad, and showing us why only paint can properly convey the hugeness of the Grand Canyon.

Lightroom is located in King’s Cross on Lewis Cubitt Square, adjacent to Coal Drops Yard and Central St Martin’s. It was designed by Haworth Tompkins as a sister space to the award-winning Bridge Theatre in SE1. A large foyer contain a café/bar run in collaboration with St John, a gift shop and seating in the foyer and outside on the square. The venue will be open seven days a week throughout the day and on most evenings.

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) runs until 4 June 2023.

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