Wednesday’s opening of LACMA’s new show, David Hockney: 82 Paintings and 1 Still-Life, felt more like a family gathering than a formal unveiling of new work by the 81 year-old master. Hockney was on site, surrounded by a set of paintngs of friends and family members – each is portrayed sitting in the same chair during successive 3 day sessions, or “20-hour exposures” as the artist describes the process. Each painting has a similar background, so the grand effect is mesmerizing, especially because the subjects of the paintings themselves roamed the galleries, some dressed in the same clothing they’d worn for their portrait. The show is colorful and fun, another incredible reminder of Hockney’s prolific practice. Opening Sunday, and on view through the end of July.
