David Hockney, Life, 2012

David Hockney’s Life (2012) is a striking example of the artist’s pioneering iPad drawings, created at a pivotal moment in his exploration of digital image-making. Combining vivid colour, expressive line and the immediacy of drawing by hand, the work demonstrates how Hockney transformed a new technology into an important extension of his long-established artistic practice.

Hockney began experimenting with the iPad in 2010, using it to explore colour, light, line and perception in ways that extended his lifelong commitment to drawing. By 2012, these digital works had become an established part of his practice, receiving significant institutional attention through the Royal Academy’s landmark A Bigger Picture exhibition.

What makes Life particularly compelling for collectors is its rarity and historical position. The work is a limited edition of just 25, with this example numbered 11/25, and is printed in colours on wove paper from the original iPad drawing. At 94.2 × 71.2 cm, it has the physical presence of a substantial work on paper while retaining the distinctive immediacy of Hockney’s digital mark-making.

As one of Britain's most influential artists, Hockney has consistently embraced new technologies as a means of expanding the possibilities of image-making. His iPad drawings are therefore more than experiments in digital art: they form an important chapter in the evolution of his practice and in the broader history of contemporary drawing.

For collectors seeking David Hockney art, limited editions or iPad drawings, Life offers the opportunity to acquire a scarce and highly distinctive work from this important period. Its small edition, substantial scale, recognisable visual language and place within Hockney’s pioneering digital practice make it an especially significant addition to a collection of contemporary art.