David Hockney: The Biography Volume 1, 1937-1975 by Christopher Simon Sykes

This is a very enjoyable and enlightening biography of the first part of David Hockney's extraordinary life.

Drawing on exclusive and unprecedented access to Hockney’s extensive archives, notebooks, and paintings, interviews with family, friends, and Hockney himself, Christopher Simon Sykes provides a colourful and intimate portrait of our greatest living artist. 

The Biography: 1937-1975  tells the fascinating tale of the first part of David Hockney's life. Born in 1937, Hockney grew up in Bradford during the days of postwar austerity. By the time he was ten years old he knew he wanted to be an artist, and after leaving school he went on to study at Bradford Art College and later at the Royal College of Art in London. This story is one of precocious achievement and Swinging 60's in London where the artist befriended many of the iconic cultural figures of the generation.

This is the first volume of the biography, subtitled 'A Rake's Progress'. Volume two, subtitled 'A Pilgrim's Progress,' is also listed on this site. When purchasing these biographies, do consider David's sister Margaret Hockney's autobiography, My Mother is not Your Mother, also available here - it's an invaluable companion piece. 

“Prodigiously entertaining.” —Financial Times

“A chatty, knowledgeable, insider’s biography, full of anecdotes.” —The Guardian

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Century 
• Language: English
• Product Dimensions: 17.5 x 2.5 x 23.4 cm