A remarkable collection of 17 iPad drawings by renowned British artist David Hockney has sold for £6.2 million at a Sotheby's auction in London, more than doubling the initial estimate. The digital artworks, part of Hockney's celebrated series "The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire," represent the largest group of the artist's iPad drawings ever to come to market.
The auction house described the sale as an "exceptionally rare opportunity" for collectors. The artwork series began in January 2011, six years after the now 88-year-old Hockney made the dramatic move from Beverly Hills to the coastal English town of Bridlington. The 17 prints originated from a private collection and their sale coincided with London's prestigious Frieze art fair.
Hockney's creative process for this series was both methodical and innovative. Starting with the first drawing in January 2011, the artist returned daily to different locations throughout Woldgate, continuing his artistic documentation through the entire spring season. Initially, Hockney had planned to work with a traditional plein air easel outdoors, but according to Sotheby's, he quickly realized it was "a bit difficult when you are stood there in the winter." This practical challenge led him to embrace the iPad as his primary artistic tool for the project.
The Yorkshire Wolds, now affectionately known as "Hockney Country," provided the stunning natural backdrop for these digital masterpieces. The complete series gained international recognition when it was unveiled as part of a major exhibition at London's Royal Academy of Arts in 2012. The landscape holds deep personal significance for Hockney, who grew up in nearby Bradford and spent many summer school holidays working in East Yorkshire, stocking corn in the fields.
Hockney's connection to Yorkshire deepened significantly during the 1990s when he began visiting more frequently to spend time with his mother. His ties to the region were further strengthened during the illness of his close friend Jonathan Silver, who was diagnosed with cancer. These personal connections helped inspire his artistic return to the English countryside after decades of living and working in California, ultimately resulting in this groundbreaking digital art series that has now achieved remarkable commercial success.
