Tourism-based businesses around Driffield are being advised to get ready for a surge of interest as a major new exhibition by artist David Hockney gets underway.
From Saturday January 21, the Royal Academy of Arts in London will be showcasing the first major exhibition of new landscape works by the Bridlington-based artist who has produced a number of canvasses depicting the green and verdant countryside around Driffield.
According to the CLA, the range of vivid paintings, inspired by the East Yorkshire landscape, will make the Wolds a popular holiday destination this summer.
CLA Yorkshire Regional Director Dorothy Fairburn said: “David Hockney is widely known as the godfather of modern British art and it is expected that this new exhibition will result in an influx of people to the Wolds.
“Tourism businesses operating in and around sites that feature in the new exhibition, such as Garrowby Hill, Sledmere, Warter, Thixendale and Kilham, would be well advised to make sure they are prepared for a surge of interest this summer.”
David Hockney RA: A Bigger Picture will span a 50 year period to demonstrate the artist’s long exploration and fascination with the depiction of landscape.
The exhibition will include a display of his iPad drawings and a series of new films. Hockney is also working with tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire to create an official tourist trail.
l New Year honour for Hockney - see also page 12