ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

David Hockney's Photocubist Portraits and Their Influence on Contemporary Photography

artist · 2026-03-24

British artist David Hockney developed a photographic technique in the 1980s called 'joiners,' which involves assembling multiple 35mm shots taken from varied angles into irregular collages. This method, known as photocubism, creates multifaceted portraits that present multiple simultaneous views of a subject, echoing Cubist principles. Hockney's work has influenced other photographers like Maurizio Galimberti, Thomas Kellner, and Brno Del Zou, who have each developed distinct approaches to fragmented photographic portraiture. The technique explores how visual perception operates through rapid eye movements and offers educational value in understanding composition and self-representation.

Key facts

  • David Hockney created 'joiners' photographic collages in the 1980s
  • The technique assembles multiple 35mm shots from different angles
  • It is called photocubism for its resemblance to Cubist multiple perspectives
  • Other photographers like Maurizio Galimberti and Thomas Kellner have adopted similar approaches
  • The method relates to how human eyes scan faces through saccadic movements

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