Lawrence Weschler, author of True to Life: Twenty-Five Years of Conversations with David Hockney, convenes a conversation with friends, colleagues, and admirers of David Hockney. Participants include artists Tacita Dean and Ramiro Gomez, and physicist Charles Falco.
Tuesday, August 8, 7:00 p.m.
Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium
Happy Birthday, Mr. Hockney
June 27–November 26, 2017Getty Center
David Hockney is considered one of the most important British artists of the twentieth century. His work demonstrates an enduring curiosity about technique and a distinctive, playful style. To celebrate his eightieth birthday, this focused two-part exhibition includes self-portraits made over the past sixty-five years and key photographs from the 1980s that investigate time and perspective.
Featuring the iconic Pearblossom Hwy., 11-18th April 1986, #2, the photographs explore Hockney’s novel Polaroid composites and photo collages. His self-portraits, including prints, paintings, photographs, and iPad drawings, reveal his flamboyant fashion sense and reactions to aging.
For their support of the exhibition, the Getty Museum acknowledges and thanks Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer, Directors of The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation.

RELATED EVENTS
TALK
COURSE
Drawing from the Masters: Self-Portrait Drawing
Enjoy the tradition of sketching from original works of art every first and third Sundays of the month at the Getty Center. In September, discover the art of self-portraits while exploring how to draw facial features and capture a personal likeness with artist Peter Zokosky. All experience levels welcome. This is a free program. Sign-up begins at 2:30 p.m. at the information desk.
Sunday, September 3 and 17, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Getty Center, Museum galleries
FAMILY
Art Lab: Photo reMix L.A.
Join us to create a collaborative photo collage of scenes from around Los Angeles, inspired by David Hockney’s work in the exhibition. Drop-in anytime between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. It's free!
Thursday–Saturday, August 3–5, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 10, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 12, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Getty Center, Museum Courtyard
TOUR
Curator’s Gallery Tour
Julian Brooks, senior curator of drawings, and Virginia Heckert, curator of photographs, the J. Paul Getty Museum, lead a gallery tour of the exhibition. Meet under the stairs in the Entrance Hall. Sign-up begins at 1:30 p.m. at the Information Desk. Capacity limited.
Tuesday, August 8, 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 7, 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 3, 2:30 p.m.
Getty Center, Museum galleries
VIDEO
David Hockney's Pearblossom Hwy
Learn how David Hockney used almost 800 photos to create the stunning perspective of Pearblossom Hwy., 11-18th April 1986, #2. Watch the video here.
A Bigger Picture – We See Psychologically
The camera sees geometrically, we see psychologically. Hear David Hockney talk about perspective in Pearblossom Hwy. Watch the short film by Bruno Wollheimm here.
GALLERY TEXT
Read and download the gallery text that accompanies this exhibition.
EXHIBITION CHECKLIST
Download the exhibition checklist.