Howard Hodgkin (1932-2017)

Simon Digby Talking

Recognition came late to Hodgkin. His first solo exhibition was not until 1962 but by 1984 he was representing Britain at the Venice Biennale and the following year he won the Turner Prize. Hodgkin saw himself as a representational artist but over time his paintings appeared to become wholly abstract. He worked slowly, often engaged with multiple paintings over long periods.

Hodgkin's paintings are usually based on a memory of a particular experience. Simon Digby Talking refers to an encounter with an expert on Indian history and culture. Rather than literally portray the event, Hodgkin uses paint to express his feelings about the experience, creating an impression of the people, their surroundings and his emotional responses. He said: "The title is where it starts, the picture is where it ends up".

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