Painted in the tradition of other works of the American West in large scale and in bright colours this stunning use of colour enlivens the senses of all who view it.
Its creation can be traced back to 1982 when Hockney first took a series of photographs of the Grand Canyon and the creation of a number of photo collages of the Grand Canyon in 1986 to try to capture its immense scale and unique beauty.
This approach has resulted in invoking the work of Chinese artists who when producing painted scrolls would show the changing of the seasons and the passing of time in one large painting. Hockney shows the changing of the seasons and gives the opportunity to explore the landscape from different viewpoints all in one large piece.
The vivid colours and stylised images also refer to more modern styles such as Cubism producing a fresh and contemporary work of art.
Many have referred to the grand scale of Hockney’s work and the parallels with the golden age of Hollywood from his youth. The bright reds, ochres and golden colours contrasted with the blues and greens of the vegetation remind many of the contrasts of colour seen in Hollywood movies. The large-scale nature of this work also seems to draw on grand Hollywood set designs and on Hockney’s own work in opera set designing.
A Bigger Grand Canyon is without any human figures, as all of his works have been since the early 1980s, as Hockney has stated that he wishes the viewer to be the only human present. Those viewing this piece are often reminded of visits to the Grand Canyon and are of standing on the cliff edge with the splendour of the Canyon before them. This large scale piece allows the viewer to appreciate and understand the grandeur and beauty of mother nature.
