Simon Rogerson Poet Free verse

Hockney

Hockney the ultimate experimental artist
Painter, printmaker, photographer, stage designer, draughtsman
Always challenging traditional elitist art
No barriers, no preconceptions, eyes always wide open

Bradford boy whose roots always prevail
1962, demands to be judged on his art not his writing
Submits Life Painting for a Diploma
RCA considers and changes regulations
Diploma awarded, so art wins

Continues his artistic quest
Vibrant colours capture people and places
His vision reaches beyond everyday reality
Unconventional proportions and perspectives
Fresh new takes on vistas of old masters

1980s, he arrives at photo collages
Painting ceases for a while
Creates two hundred plus patchworks of joiners
Photos, manyfold, of a single subject
My Mother, Bolton Abbey epitomises his experiment

Embraces technology using phones and iPads
Bending it to his artistic aims
No texture, no brush strokes 
But still his take on life prevails

Locked down in France during COVID
Chinese scroll painting and Bayeux Tapestry feed fertile mind
A Year in Normandie results
Two hundred and twenty iPad paintings enlarged
Ninety metre chronicle of changing seasons
Salts Mill exhibition, back where it all began
Visitors immersed in a linear experience

Hockney pursuing a lifetime of artistic exploration
A contemporary art virtuoso

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Alison A Smith nee Howarth June 13, 2026 at 10:47 PM Wonderful chronicle of this man. May he never be forgotten. RIP Hockney Simon Rogerson June 13, 2026 at 11:46 PM He is up there with the greats!

Suzette Richards June 12, 2026 at 10:58 PM His landscape paintings of Yorkshire introduced me to his art - my in-laws had one in pride of place above the mantlepiece in their lounge at their Harrogate home. Yes, he led a checkered life and his artistic expressions were singular - they have no equal. Simon Rogerson June 12, 2026 at 11:18 PM I saw a year in normandie at Salts Mill Bradford. Just incredible is artistic genius!

Chula Schlesinger-Fleming February 18, 2026 at 5:36 PM Oh my gracious! Simon, this is beautifully crafted and intriguing to follow all his accomplishments. You have absolutely captured the genius of this incredible artist. Thanks so much for your intense research and most capable flow of his life experiences. You have set me on a quest to experience each and every one of his creations. Well done, my friend! Simon Rogerson February 19, 2026 at 2:39 AM Thanks Chula - Pleased you liked my take on Hockney. His work is incredible - I saw A Year in Normandie at Salts Mill - it was amazing.