Lot Essay
While at the Royal College of Art in London, Hockney’s friend and fellow artist R.B. Kitaj encouraged him to use items and people from everyday life as the subject of his work. Hockney turned to the people that were closest to him as his sitters: his friends and family.
In 1961, Mo McDermott and Ossie Clark, both of whom have been frequently portrayed in Hockney’s portraiture, introduced him to British textile designer Celia Birtwell. Celia studied fabric design at Salford and went on to marry Ossie Clark in 1969. The two became fast friends as they bonded over their northern roots and shared sense of humor.
“She’s playful, funny. When I first met her, I was attracted to the fact that she could make me laugh.” – David Hockney, speaking about Celia Birtwell
Hockney waited until 1968 to draw Celia for the first time, once the pair was better acquainted. Since then, the artist has portrayed Celia many times through their long and enduring friendship. She has been depicted in a variety of scenes: on an office chair, in a green hat, with her husband, and more. Celia is often shown in her own fabric designs, often thinking of their sittings as collaborations. Hockney has remained inspired by Celia as the two have aged, and she has remained one of the artist’s favorite models.
In 1961, Mo McDermott and Ossie Clark, both of whom have been frequently portrayed in Hockney’s portraiture, introduced him to British textile designer Celia Birtwell. Celia studied fabric design at Salford and went on to marry Ossie Clark in 1969. The two became fast friends as they bonded over their northern roots and shared sense of humor.
“She’s playful, funny. When I first met her, I was attracted to the fact that she could make me laugh.” – David Hockney, speaking about Celia Birtwell
Hockney waited until 1968 to draw Celia for the first time, once the pair was better acquainted. Since then, the artist has portrayed Celia many times through their long and enduring friendship. She has been depicted in a variety of scenes: on an office chair, in a green hat, with her husband, and more. Celia is often shown in her own fabric designs, often thinking of their sittings as collaborations. Hockney has remained inspired by Celia as the two have aged, and she has remained one of the artist’s favorite models.