Plate for Edward Lear

1959–1962

“New Contemporaries” alongside Peter Blake

While still a student at the Royal College of Art, Hockney appears in the exhibition “New Contemporaries” alongside Peter Blake, which announced the arrival of British Pop art. He is associated with the movement, though his early works show expressionist elements similar to some of Francis Bacon’s.

1959–1962

At the Royal College: Kitaj, Bowling, Stokoe

At the Royal College of Art in London Hockney meets R. B. Kitaj, Frank Bowling and Neil Stokoe.

1962

A diploma protest: “Life Painting for a Diploma”

When the college said it would not let him graduate without a life drawing of a live model, Hockney painted “Life Painting for a Diploma” in protest: he had refused to write an essay required for the final examination and insisted on being assessed solely on his artworks. Recognising his talent and growing reputation, the college changed its regulations and awarded him a diploma.

1963

First solo exhibition at Kasmin Limited

At twenty-six Hockney has his first one-man show at Kasmin Limited.

1963–1964

Moving to Los Angeles

Hockney moves from Britain to Los Angeles, in 1964 by some accounts, in 1963 by others; the move is attributed to a more liberal political climate. There he is inspired to paint a series of swimming pools in vibrant acrylic, then a comparatively new medium.

summer 1966

Meeting Peter Schlesinger

While teaching at UCLA, Hockney meets Peter Schlesinger, an art student who poses for paintings and drawings, and the two become romantically involved.