New illustrated book introduces David Hockney to children

Arka Edizioni has published 'Vedere oltre. Un ritratto di David Hockney', an illustrated book for readers aged six and up that summarizes the British pop art icon's life and career. Written and illustrated by American award-winning artist Evan Turk, the book uses colored pencils, gouache, and wax crayons to depict key episodes from Hockney's childhood in West Yorkshire, his passion for drawing, his discovery of homosexuality, and his artistic maturity. The volume highlights Hockney's constant experimentation with techniques, including painting on iPhone and iPad, using fax machines, and recording with nine video cameras simultaneously. Turk, who is also a gay artist, was inspired by Hockney's 2017 retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, describing the artist's work as 'skillful, inventive, varied, and joyful.' The book aims to encourage young readers to pursue their passions.