A remarkable new exhibition is shedding fresh light on one of the most significant artistic relationships of the 20th century, revealing how the intimate connection between David Hockney and Don Bachardy helped define queer art in California during a transformative era.
The Meeting That Changed Everything
When a young David Hockney arrived in Los Angeles in the 1960s, fresh from his studies at the Royal College of Art, he found himself drawn into the orbit of an established literary and artistic circle. At the heart of this world was the formidable partnership between writer Christopher Isherwood and portrait artist Don Bachardy.
The immediate artistic chemistry between Hockney and Bachardy sparked a creative dialogue that would influence both their careers profoundly. Their mutual fascination with capturing the human form and exploring queer identity through art created a unique symbiotic relationship.
Portraits of Intimacy and Influence
The exhibition showcases a stunning collection of reciprocal portraits, where each artist turned their gaze upon the other. These works reveal not just technical mastery but a deep emotional connection and mutual respect.
- Bachardy's intense, psychologically penetrating studies of Hockney
- Hockney's characteristically vibrant and innovative depictions of Bachardy
- Previously unseen sketches and personal correspondence
- Collaborative works that blur the lines between their distinct styles
California Dreaming: A New Artistic Frontier
The California setting proved crucial to this artistic flowering. The freedom and light of Los Angeles offered both artists space to explore themes that might have been constrained in more conservative environments. The vibrant colours and liberated atmosphere of Southern California became integral to their work during this period.
Hockney's now-iconic California aesthetic, characterised by swimming pools, bright sunlight and domestic intimacy, developed alongside his relationship with Bachardy and Isherwood. Meanwhile, Bachardy's portraiture gained new confidence and depth through his exchanges with the younger British artist.
A Lasting Legacy in Queer Art History
What makes this artistic relationship particularly significant is how it documented and celebrated queer life at a time when such openness was rare. Their work together stands as testament to the power of artistic communities in shaping cultural movements.
The exhibition positions their collaboration as a pivotal moment in the history of queer representation in art, demonstrating how personal relationships could fuel artistic innovation and create space for new forms of expression.
Through these intimate portraits and shared artistic explorations, Hockney and Bachardy not only captured each other but helped define an entire era of California art, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire artists exploring identity, relationship and representation today.
