Howard Hodgkin

London

A major new body of works on paper by Howard Hodgkin, one of Britain’s most important living artists, form the basis of the current exhibition Acquainted with the Night that celebrates the artist’s 80th birthday. These 11 new works are remarkably different in feel to much of his earlier work; each is a surprising and powerful burst of energy, displaying brio and passion which, together, cover the spectrum of emotions, from a sense of deep foreboding in some, to joy, and, possibly, even anger in others. The exhibition title Acquainted with the Night, references the celebrated Robert Frost poem of the same name, often interpreted as a vivid description of the experience of depression, and has a particularly special meaning for Howard Hodgkin as it was the title of his first, and no longer extant lithograph print, made nearly 60 years ago in 1953. The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue with introduction by art historian, John-Paul Stonard.

Hodgkin’s paintings and prints often evoke memories and private experiences. Since the 1950s, he has made a substantial number of original prints and, for the last 25 years, has favoured heavily hand-painted carborundum and aquatint etchings which allow him to bring the physicality of the paintings into his printmaking.

Alan Cristea Gallery

May 31st – July 7th, 2012
Private View: May 30th, 2012, 18-18hrs
RSVP to leah.swain@alancristea.com

31 & 34 Cork Street
London W1S 3NU
UK

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