David Hockney on Vincent van Gogh | FULL INTERVIEW

From 1 March 2019, the colossal works of David Hockney were on display in the Netherlands, at the Van Gogh Museum. For the first time, this spectacular exhibition offered an extensive and colourful exploration of the common ground between the work of Vincent van Gogh and David Hockney.
Hockney: ‘His paintings are full of movement. What people love about Van Gogh’s paintings is that all the brush marks are visible and you can see how they are painted. When you’re drawing one blade of grass you’re looking and then you see more. And then you see the other blades of grass and you’re always seeing more. Well, that’s exciting to me and it was exciting to Van Gogh. I mean, he saw very clearly’.
‘The world is colourful. It is beautiful, I think. Nature is great. Van Gogh worshipped nature. He might have been miserable, but that doesn’t show in his work. There are always things that will try to pull you down. But we should be joyful in looking at the world’. - David Hockney
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Production: Mals Media
Director: Kay Lindhout
Interview: Else Siemerink
Production: Anna Jordans & Else Siemerink
DOP: Victor Horstink
Edit: Tobias Cornelissen
Sound: Koos van der Vaart
Music: Arling & Cameron / Modern Day Composers
Translation: Joey Meeuwisse
Online edit & color grading: SALT Amsterdam
Audio post processing: Bob Kommer Studio’s
Licensed materials courtesy of:
“David Hockney: A Bigger Picture” (2009) a film by Bruno Wollheim, Coluga Pictures.
“Love's Presentation" (1966) a film by James Scott, courtesy James Scott.
“A Bigger Splash" (1974) a film by Jack Hazan, courtesy Buzzy Enterprises Limited.
“I assume the best work is yet to come’: David Hockney” (1980) Newsnight archives.
With thanks to David Hockney, the David Hockney Foundation, David Hockney inc.
Van Gogh Museum, 2019

[@jeremyraglin8170]

Hockney is so unpretentious about his work at times, it's refreshing to see someone with his fame and talent just loving the aspect of still creating artwork at his age.

[@lluhu]

@pproust I disagree, he is combining pop-art colors and the brushstroke of Van Gogh...is there anything more commercial than that?

[@Marcus_Sylvester]

@@lluhu Great Trolling! 😉 For some people anything aesthetic or beautiful is commercial... They need shit all over the place in a work of art for it not to be commercial. 😂 If you get successful that's your mafia diploma! 😎 Besides, there is bad and good commercial... 👽 p.s. That is not to say that I think Hockney's art is commercial in and of itself... Lol!

[@lluhu]

@@Marcus_Sylvester Well, beauty is subjective. I find Hockney's work ugly, poorly executed and highly commercial.

[@Marcus_Sylvester]

@@lluhu Don't feed the trolls... 😉

[@hd-xc2lz]

Agreed Jeremy. And when you get to be a certain age as an artist you recognize the victory that is simply keeping it going, working most days. Crucial that one remains open to discovery, not become a slave to technique, but equally crucial to develop a working method that is not so overladen with conceptual meaning that new ideas can't bubble their way up at any time, and that allows you to work every day of the week if you choose to. To me that's the example Hockney sets, and I so wish more young artists today would grasp that.

[@runnerphile1997]

He makes me feel comfortable and appreciate being human

[@michaelmercogliano4984]

“You can’t get bored with nature can you?” David Hockney truly ages like a fine wine, brilliant!

[@JimOverbeckgenius]

Nature is essentially rotting vegetation. Brown earth, green grass & blue sky = too tedious to give a shit about. There's nothing spiritual, intellectual or imaginative in Hackneyed Hockney's head, paint-box or knickers.

[@alchamone8133]

It’s like natures got an erection 😁

[@alchamone8133]

@@JimOverbeckgenius most ungracious all creativity is nature itself

[@JimOverbeckgenius]

@@alchamone8133 Don't talk bollocks with your mouth full: all CREATIVITY is from the Lord God Almighty.

[@alchamone8133]

Who of course had nothing to do with creating nature🤪@@JimOverbeckgenius who of course never

[@AnaLuizaHella]

Finally! For decades I've been waiting for this: talking about Van Gogh as a painter without the biographical aspect in the back of the mind. Yes! He was extremely happy when he was painting. Joy! It's about joy! Thank you David Hockney!❤️

[@EyeLean5280]

As an art history teacher, I so agree with you! I always tell my students that yes, biographical context is interesting and does matter, but that there are other things much more important to think about when looking at any of the great artists and furthermore, in van Gogh's case, his life is focused on so intensely that it's become the lazy man's approach to his work.

[@kezkn]

David's way of expression.... the passion about painting life.... and his laughter is so addictive !!!!

[@oliverdking]

Contagious

[@kezkn]

@@oliverdking I think contagious here, would be I imitate him? I just want to dissolve into his laughter..... or more into the sound of his airy laughter ???😉

[@ArtHistorywithAlder]

Love his laughter haha. I could listen to that all day

[@__seeker__]

Mr. David Hockney is nothing short of sincerely engaging. He’s so adorable.

[@casualsweater]

Why you write that like a review though ?? Lol :)

[@casualsweater]

@@pattyayers Good question. Why why why you know ??? Thanks for adding to the conversation.

[@casualsweater]

@@pattyayers Language is constantly evolving, Patty. I don’t see an issue with me participating in the progression & simplification of my otherwise overly-complex mother tongue (English) - other than you actively playing the grammar-Nazi in a KZbin comment. How tragic !?

[@AK4SHGaming]

its not art. his paintings are what you would call Optical Holocaust

[@katherineelizabethco]

What a delightful man. He’s not only in awe of Vincent’s paintings; you get the sense that he takes pleasure in knowing Vincent expressed gaiety. He’s genuinely happy for Vincent.

[@nixmoretta13]

Oh my, I’m in tears of joy here, for the true love Hockney has for Van Gogh, but equally, for the pure authentic, and gentle passion he oozes from every molten metal grey whisker on his face of wonder.

[@screeningmimi]

Bravo! "It's not the landscape (still life, portrait) that's become boring it's the depiction."

[@estebanb7166]

Fantastic quote. What a man!

[@eatingtheunicorn]

Hockney's narration and Van Gogh's paintings together made the photos of nature so enthralling. What a gift.

[@wishananda]

What a beautiful tribute to Van Gogh from a true contemporary icon.

[@kelliintexas3575]

What a WONDERFUL man! I wish I had someone in my life to inspire me! His friends are SO blessed!

[@ralphstephan353]

I love Hockney's words. They're measured and thoughtful, much like applying paint to canvas. He's a treasure for any country fortunate enough to attract and hold him.

[@loredanan7975]

"What colour is the road? It’s not grey, is it? no it’s not, but you have to really look, REALLY look." Loved this video! Absolutely brilliant! Thank you!

[@AK4SHGaming]

its not art. his paintings are what you would call Optical Holocaust

[@bilbofaggin5]

@@AK4SHGaming girl i could shit on a piece of paper, smear it on a wall and call it art. Anything is art if you say it is. You don't have to like it

[@sonicdiablo8968]

@@AK4SHGaming lol smh

[@samur444]

I love this! I watched it so many times and again, again it's so refreshing a cheerful! So heartwarming!

[@kimengelen]

What a lovely interview. Such a likable artist. I was smiling the whole video long. It’s great to see he is so enjoying his work. And he loves to paint. I will forward this video to my friend Libby who paints trees.

[@kimengelen]

@James Hama Hi James, pretty good today. How about yourself?

[@kimengelen]

@James HamaLet's have a coffee. Where do you live?

[@kimengelen]

@James Hama Nice you are in a transition it seems. I live currently in Spain.

[@PaulaJoW]

"There are endless subjects in nature." Absolutely right.

[@tomallen5837]

Thanks for the hope. David. Joy

[@josborn9653]

Nature is deceptive and van Gogh could see it. What great art and what a gift to society.

[@paulabreakfree]

I'm crying, he´s so wholesome, must protect at all costs

[@Joe1935429]

We see the man, the humor and the passion, that we see in his work.

[@jillweed95]

Thank you David Hockney. I am a fan of yours. Your work is exciting wonderful and a joy to look at. The self-expression is brilliant! Excellent! There is love in your paintings! There is love in Van Gogh's painting too. Grateful for you!

[@carolynmullet1726]

Lovely structure to this little video. So good to hear Hockney's love of painting. Such joy.

[@asni37]

i love the way he speak. very clear, soft, choosen intonation and humble. Really experienced old man with 1000 stories in his life.

[@asni37]

@@pattyayers malay

[@markhirstwood4190]

Go to Yorkshire and you'll hear many voices like his and meet many people like that, with that good vibe.

[@asni37]

@@markhirstwood4190 wish I can go there..

[@suzannebrichards3849]

I adore David Hockney's work and find it so fun! I have watched the video , DAVID HOCKNEY, A BIGGER PICTURE, over and over and over! I have loved his landscapes so much and found them so inspiring!

[@joannaryan9805]

What a beautiful man and such a wonderful artist . He is the greatest living artist without a doubt I love the depth he is able to achieve in his paintings and the colours

[@meesalikeu]

FANTASTIC -- I REALLY ENJOY HIS MOST RECENT NATURE PAINTINGS.

[@mariarosacardoso662]

hockney is just so sincere and amazing

[@dougieb2159]

agreed

[@lluhu]

Does that make him better artist?

[@antmilklover1241]

It does.

[@vincentjohnson3763]

Who the Hell are the 188 persons at the time of this writing who has pressed a thumbs down ,are you mad ? what on earth is there to dislike ? and they said Vincent was mad---lovely and enjoyable thank you to all concerned and especially to Dave and Vince

[@jeffsaginaw1769]

God bless you old man. Discovering you was a great moment in my life. Thanks for all your thought on the great painters of history.

[@paulharvey2396]

Thank you David for your wonderful achievement, please be a strength in my hope and work, you have done so well, help me with your powerful love to get up a step and closer to goodness, I wish I could have you in my work more fully, thank you thank you, God bless you amen

[@Mezilesialan]

A great and happy artist talking about Van Gogh. We smile at his joy and our joy , as we look closely at these paintings.

[@ArtHistorywithAlder]

So much joy in both of them and their paintings

[@ianguill803]

don't you guys truly enjoy when a great artist refers to his fellow artists with the outmost humility and respect for the other one's life and works? it's truly enjoyable.

[@TikiJsLounge]

This was pure joy to watch! It makes me want to get my paints and a nice sized canvas and find a great landscape to paint really good with lots of color and texture ... and movement. David Hockney is absolutely delightful!

[@geinikan1kan]

I do not like in ground pools, but I love swimming, and I love David Hockney's paintings of backyard pools.

[@nathanmotley7428]

@@geinikan1kan Ya eist niknene he is the se kinda you see in a cowboy flick on Painters and quite the IDEA!!!

[@rabbidavidrubin9260]

David, you should enjoy many more years of giving humanity great joy. David.

[@gggfx4144]

He has a very warming way of speaking; like a father showing his boy round the workshop for the first time. Was lovely to see David's reactions to Van Goghs observations too; so authentic, and clearly someone who loves his craft in a happy way

[@janie7242]

The JOY of the beautiful colors, both of their paintings! Love Van Gogh very much, and David Hockney's works are interesting! 😍🐦

[@zorbanongreco]

💚Dave & Vincent💚 what joy these two GREAT artists have given to me.Thankyou. 🐂💨💨💨💨💨💨

[@shinealightyoga]

This moved me emotionally. Thank god for the artists!

[@velvetindigonight]

Thank you so much. Wonderful combination of art and wisdom, and the best discription of Beltane I've ever heard! Enjoy!

[@NatashaNewtonArt]

Hockney is one of my favourite painters, and to hear him speaking about Van Gogh in this way is just lovely! This sounds like such an interesting and inspiring exhibition.

[@dougg1075]

Love that man, could listen to him for days.

[@carolrandall3181]

Perspective strangles space and movement - how wonderful is this jnterview?!

[@steveb2145]

My God, how the world needs this to heal our souls..

[@sapholire8389]

i swear to God this man is so pure. what an honor it is to have to make an essay on his life.

[@Anne-zt2dz]

wow that’s amazing. what studies or class was it for?

[@rebeccawillems3826]

Marvelous, stunning, breathtaking, joyous... So full of life and deep-felt understanding, Simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing this gem !

[@nope3043]

Yeah one time he said not everyone notices the spring, I have noticed it this year after I lost my grandfather. I have noticed how beyond words the world is. I could just lay down and observe the nature for hours and hours that's why I feel close to Hockney.

[@BGTuyau]

A nice look at one artist's vision through the eyes of another -and a nice take on landscape.

[@cibcebcak]

David Hockney thank You for this interview

[@CallyLawson]

What a fantastic interview, thank you so much for sharing this!

[@MrKRABBB]

Thank you for this interview.

[@barbarawillis5187]

I love David Hockney commenting on Vincent Van Gogh quotes and paintings. Very sweet.

[@nicolasgeiser1556]

Nature is full of colours, full of contrasts, of infinite beauties... to draw, to paint, to love, to learn to look better and perhaps understand some mysteries of existence. Thank you David!

[@StylesProtocol]

infinite & indefinite

[@letmetellyousomething123]

I needed to see this today. Thank you David!!

[@nigelmorton3652]

Thoroughly enjoyed this ; listening to David’s words so eloquently put and no nonsense approach is Hockney in a nut shell .Brilliant Thanks for posting .

[@fishermann1102]

So beautiful and inspiring! Thank you.

[@mario-yg8mx]

Splendid interview, Thank you David!

[@_FMK]

In love with David's outlook, absolutely 💗

[@josephstanski5180]

Thank you David.

[@daunnara]

Great interview. Thank you.

[@kimbatha3555]

Absolute genius. Still one of the greatest painters of the past 60 years. My father and I are painters and we have long talks about Hockney and his life. I have also been lucky enough to have been to saint Remy where Van Gogh lived for a while eerie and magical.

[@aarond9563]

Wow this warmed my heart so much!

[@thomastieffenbacherdocsava1549]

Thank You Mr. Hockney for sharing how you feel about it

[@jennybleasdale1815]

Thank you David Hockney.

[@danh5637]

Bridlington is my home town. I was so quick to move from there. It’s fascinating to me Hockney would want to settle there! What is true though is it has a lot of obscure nature in the area.

[@lisengel2498]

I agree with every word and I am sure that joy and light and love are the most important medium of making art and painting - its fun and truly enlivening to walk in nature

[@robertpepper5256]

Thanks David.

[@noras.9774]

Beautiful! His painting and his opinions about painting and Van Gogh!

[@MicaRayan]

I love David Hockney's paintings...so much character on one picture!

[@larrysimon1]

DH is the living recreation of the Artistic values of VVG, his work is so similar to my eye. I have travelled the world to view VVG art work and DH art work embodies all of the characteristics of Gogh. I'm such an admirer of both artists.

[@x049pig]

Love em both. Full of joy.

[@ilalapinski6146]

Thank you! Enjoyed that so much!

[@rudischols5142]

I really, REALLY loved this. To have a wonderful artist speaking of another great artist brings it all to life. Thank you for sharing

[@vanbosnie]

This is a very well made film. Excellent photography, camera work, music.... and David is really great:-)) Thank you so much!

[@elisabethbenn1572]

I enjoyed this very much. We were fortunate to have a Hockney exhibition here in Melbourne not long ago.

[@joyuk]

I love David Hockney. what a fabulous interview!

[@pedmondson002]

I love David Hockney. I studied art in the East Riding of Yorkshire and was lucky enough to see an exhibition of David Hockney’s work in Beverley library in 1997 (it’s just a small town library which is obviously free to go in, so brilliant for inspiring students) and have loved him ever since. I now live back in the East Riding, not too far from Woldgate Woods, and have a copy of one of his ‘woods’ series in my kitchen. It brings me joy daily. We’re really fortunate in this area (East Yorkshire, although I’m not from here originally) to have a rich creative history such as Hockney, Larkin, numerous bands, etc.

[@somsoc_]

Thank you for mentioning Larkin in the same breath as Hockney. Larkin makes me just as happy as Hockney, but I think most don't see him that way or appreciate his warmth.

[@pedmondson002]

somsoc my Dad was a student of Hull university when Larkin was the librarian there, so I have inherited a lifelong fondness for him.

[@somsoc_]

@@pedmondson002 That's wonderful that you have a real connection to him! I was lucky enough to have a teacher who knew his work well and ignited that affection in us. Passing the torch onto others, I think that's what it's all about :)

[@artteachernc9119]

I love this man, what an inspiration in so many ways.

[@kirsten2415]

it's beautiful to see how passionate he is about his work .

[@ZBeansUncut]

When I came to Amsterdam the wait to get in the Museum was beyond my stay. It did give me the chance to check out a bunch of other museums/galleries and it was magnificent, but I will be back and I will book a place for the Van Gogh in advance.

[@jayems332]

Sharing the pleasure and highlighting Van Gogh. Love them both.

[@andreakalis4551]

Wow, I love this interview so much! We never tire of nature. Hockney, like Van Gogh, gets that! This was definitely my feel good for the week!!! I wish I could be there for the show.

[@markmabuna7903]

the joy of painting..still there after 60 years of doing it. Love the message of this video so much. Briliant video!

[@theldiaries2493]

such a beautiful interview!!!

[@scottoconnor]

Great interview! Van Gogh has always been my favorite artist but thanks to this interview David Hockney is also now one of my favorites!!!

[@lingyaxuan]

same..... the way he talks makes me want to be his friend

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

@@lingyaxuan very sincere and humble

[@zorbanongreco]

not really an interview

[@trudyzim]

I love this ‘deep dive’ with David Hockney

[@YOYO-mx6ie]

🥺

[@poetmarcusjackson]

Beautiful, sharp, moving video. Thank you for it.

[@rhijulbec1]

How delightful!! I love Hockney's art. He's so inspired by my favourite artist far and above all~Vincent Van Gogh.

[@RavenMadd9]

my fave painter .....thank you for posting this

[@meanqueensuperscrimper8908]

Nice to see you here Scott oconnor. Hockney is my favourite. I've been to see his work at Saltaire Mill, Bradford, it is stunning in the flesh. ilona xxx

[@marceloadelar]

he always wears the most awesome glasses

[@ArtHistorywithAlder]

Love how he still wears similar glasses as to when he was younger

[@lisengel2498]

Lovely video - truly a looking with the eyes of the heart and soul.

[@lydiarowe491]

Beautiful David Hockney...producing the most marvelous art..seeing the parallels between Van Gogh and him Such a joy to see these works with Spring coming.🍀

[@edwardmclaughlin7935]

Brass-tacks, common sense is a rare thing in the art world - so many flannel merchants whose verbose wanderings stand in for the actual skill and talent that is absent in them. To hear Hockney speak about painting is so refreshing and informative. All of it from the point of someone who can do it.

[@kentbyron7608]

What a beautiful and inspiring interview! Gratitude to all involved including Mr. Hockney. I could have watched several hours of this!

[@adamhuffman3354]

A fascinating man with impeccable talent and taste!

[@davidparker4580]

Adore him and his work. Everything he does is carefully observed, colourful and beautiful.

[@jeffdegrandis5015]

Outstanding. I love Van Gogh's work and thought this was a wonderful interview and now, David Hockney has a new fan.

[@valgraham5844]

I stood on Hockneys feet when I got into a lift at the same time as him. He lived just up the road from me in London, and I could see him painting through his window!!!

[@xfarahiranix]

What a bluddy legend. 60 YEARS!!!

[@hummingbirdlife8723]

Thankful for seeing this. It lites a fire in my soul That is truly all For me to enjoy

[@ThomasKa]

What a great and nice interview ! Thanks.