|
Mullholland Drive: The Road to the Studio
Take a look at this painting. Notice the curving line running from left to right near the top of the composition. This is Mulholland Drive, the street that artist David Hockney drove on every day from his home in the Hollywood Hills to his art studio on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles. Hockney recorded memorable impressions from his drive, including a swimming pool, tennis courts, and eucalyptus groves. What other details did Hockney include? The intersecting lines at the top of the painting represent a grid of streets in Studio City and Burbank in the San Fernando Valley. Think about a journey you make everyday, such as your trip from home to school. What are some of the memorable things you see?
Look at the variety of colors Hockney used in the painting. They are brighter and more vivid than those we see in real life. Hockney has said, "I like [bright color] and surround myself with it because I think, frankly, it makes life a bit more joyful." Do you have a color that you especially like; one that makes you happy when you see it? What color is it? What kind of mood do the colors in this painting convey?
You can see this painting in the American art galleries on the third floor of the Art of the Americas Building at LACMA.
Search Collections Online to see more works of art by David Hockney.
David Hockney (England, born 1937)
Mulholland Drive: The Road to the Studio, 1980
Acrylic on canvas, 86 x 243 in. (218.44 x 617.22 cm)
Purchased with funds provided by the F. Patrick Burns Bequest (M.83.35)
Photo © 2009 Museum Associates/LACMA
© David Hockney
|
Welcome to Artwork of the Month! Visit this page every month to explore a new treasure from LACMA's extensive collections.
Artwork of the Month is intended for children but can also be a fun resource for students, teachers, and families who want to learn more about artworks in LACMA's permanent collection and special exhibitions.
|
