Paul Carey-Kent Analyzes David Hockney's 'My Parents' (1977)

In his 'Work of the Month' feature for FAD, Paul Carey-Kent analyzes David Hockney's 1977 artwork 'My Parents', which was acquired by Tate in 1981. This piece depicts a double portrait of Kenneth Hockney (1904–1978) and Laura Hockney (1900–1999), who resided in Bradford, the birthplace of David in 1937. Kenneth, an accountant and a conscientious objector during WWII, is shown reading the 1968 Penguin edition of Aaron Scharf's 'Art and Photography', while Laura gazes outward. The painting reflects Hockney's own 'Invented Man Revealing Still Life' (1975) and includes a reproduction of Piero della Francesca's 'The Baptism of Christ' (c. 1437–1445). Other notable books featured are Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time' and a monograph about Chardin. Hockney's tulip still life and a curtain inspired by Fra Angelico's 'The Dream of Deacon Justinian' are also present. Carey-Kent emphasizes that the painting serves as a testament to Hockney's artistic influences.