Needless to say, David Hockney has gone beyond the borders of his native Britain to become one of the most important and inspiring artists in the world. At the ripe old age of 83, he remains productive as ever but, more importantly, it’s worth remembering that he discovered the intersection between social isolation and art before any of us.
The works David Hockney created under very special circumstances about a decade ago, when home confinement was not as normal as it is today, have recently been compiled in a book: “David Hockney: My Window”. The book published by Taschen frequently comes to mind these days, making us think of Hockney every time we look out the window. Let’s quickly remember the background of the book:

My Window is a collection of David Hockney’s 120 digital works. Yet, what makes these drawings important is the materials used in their making and the special conditions mentioned earlier: All the drawings featured in the book have been created on an iPhone or iPad, without the artist leaving his chair. While we tend to spend our days without taking much notice of the succession of seasons, from 2009 to 2012, Hockney meticulously observed each season and grabbed hold of his phone to keep up with the changing times.

It was 2009 when Hockney discovered the potential of an iPhone as a creative instrument. Thinking that most of us still struggle with some of the features of our smartphones, these creations prove what a pioneering artist Hockney really is. It’s impressive to know that his only source of inspiration came from looking out the window of a room in his Yorkshire home. A year into this creative excursion, Hockney started to feel limited by the screen size of his iPhone so he upgraded to an iPad to add detail to the drawings and have more freedom in using light and colour. This project immortalises his 120 days.

Turning the pages, the book gives access to a 3-year long panorama from David Hockney’s eyes. The book is full of intricate observations – from snow-covered vistas to spring flowers, raindrops pattering against a window to the changing colours of the sky. It’s worth remembering that all this took place when he was over the age of 70. Today, the artist stands out as a reminder of hope, passion and determination.