David Hockney
David Hockney was born in Bradford Yorkshire in 1937, the 4th of 5 children. David won a scholarship to go to Bradford Grammar School and by the age of 10 he had already decided he wanted to be an artist of some kind. He completed his Grammar school education, then followed it at Bradford Art College, from where he got a place to study at the Royal College of Art in London.
On completing his diploma at the Royal College of art, David was awarded a Gold medal, and he quite rapidly became known as 'Hockney' the artist. His success in the 1960's seemed to have no realms.
He bought a home and studio in California in 1970's, but returned to visit his family and Yorkshire at least twice a year, only having three Christmas's away from his mother during her lifetime.
Jonathan Silver approached David about displaying his work in the Mill, David was delighted, and it was the start of a wonderful friendship between them. The friendship was short lived however, as Jonathan struggled unsuccessfully to overcome cancer.
Jonathan requested that David 'paint Yorkshire'. David was delighted to oblige, and painted much emotion into the Yorkshire landscapes and the Salts Mill painting