If you’ve ever stood in front of a David Hockney piece and felt your heart do a little cartwheel—same. I finally made it to the David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) exhibition, and wow… what a ride.
Hosted at Lightroom in London, this immersive experience is not your average gallery visit. Think giant projections, surround sound, and a front-row seat inside Hockney’s brain. It was like being dropped into a technicolour dream—and I left with a head full of ideas and a serious itch to rearrange my living room.
More Than One Way to See
One of the most powerful things Hockney said during the exhibition was about perspective—how traditional perspective only offers one view, one moment. But in reality? We have many views. We move. We turn our heads. We see the world in layers, flashes, fragments.
It was like something clicked. Why are we always trying to make our homes look perfect from one fixed angle? Let’s embrace the movement, the chaos, the personality!
Interior inspo: Style your home with life in mind. Don’t design for a static Instagram photo design for real moments, shifting light, people walking through with a cup of tea.
““The world is very very beautiful if you look at it, but most people don’t look very much. They scan the ground in front of them so they can walk, they don’t really look at things incredibly well, with an intensity. I do.”
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A Masterclass in Colour Confidence
Hockney has always been a fearless user of colour, and this show doesn’t hold back. From LA swimming pools to Yorkshire landscapes, every scene is saturated. It reminded me how powerful colour can be—not just in art, but in our homes too.
Interior design takeaway: Don’t be afraid of bold choices. That cobalt blue wall or acid green cushion you’ve been eyeing? Go for it. Hockney would.
Drawing Every Day (and Loving It)
One thing I loved was how Hockney talks about drawing as a daily joy. Whether it's iPad sketches or charcoal portraits, he finds beauty in the ordinary. That sense of playfulness and curiosity is so infectious.
Interior styling inspo: Why not bring more of you into your space? Display sketches, postcards, or scribbles that make you smile. Art doesn't have to be fancy to be meaningful.
People, Chairs, and the Joy of Movement
Hockney’s photo collages were a real highlight for me—layered montages of people and objects, especially chairs (so many beautiful chairs!), all caught mid-motion. It was like each frame was breathing. The energy, the rhythm, the layers of time—all stitched together.
Creative takeaway- Movement tells a story. Why not reflect that in your space? Mix prints and patterns, overlap artwork, cluster objects in a way that feels a little less perfect, a little more alive.
Tech Meets Tradition
Seeing how Hockney blends classic techniques with digital tools was incredibly inspiring. The exhibition is packed with animated sequences, layered sound, and narrated reflections—it's art for the 21st century.
Home decor angle: Mix old with new. A vintage chair next to a sleek modern lamp. An abstract canvas above an antique console. It’s all about contrast and confidence.
Art, Technology, and Pure Joy
What I loved most about this exhibition was the sheer sense of joy Hockney brings to everything. Whether it’s drawing on his iPad, filming a friend walking across a room, or talking about shadows falling on a road in Yorkshire, it all comes from this place of playful curiosity.
And for anyone who loves interiors (hello!), that mindset is everything. Your home doesn’t have to be finished or flawless—it just needs to reflect you.
The Big Picture (Literally)
The scale of the show is part of what makes it magical. You’re not just looking at Hockney’s work—you’re in it. I left feeling creatively recharged, ready to take more risks in my own design choices and maybe add a few more colours to the palette at home.
Final Thoughts
I left feeling creatively recharged and with about 100 ideas for re-styling corners of my home. This exhibition is a true reminder that inspiration is everywhere, and that the most powerful spaces (and artworks) are the ones that reflect how we really live.
If you get the chance to go, take it. And if not, follow me on instagram . I’ll be sharing some Hockney reels and stories: bold colour palettes, layered perspectives, and the beauty of movement in design.
The exhibition runs from 30 April – 29 June 2025. If you’re searching for current art exhibitions in London, this limited-time immersive show is a must-see for anyone interested in Hockney’s work.