London, UK Sky Arts is set to take a unique and unrivalled look at David Hockney’s life and work in a new series of special films, Celebrating David Hockney (w/t), edited and presented by Melvyn Bragg. Produced by Directors Cut Productions, the programmes will air on Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW later this year.

David Hockney is a phenomenon. His originality and skill have ensured his success from the beginning of his career, and he has become an enduringly popular figure often hailed as one of our greatest living British artists.

Celebrating David Hockney (w/t) will cover the many eras and aspects of Hockney’s work through insightful interviews, archive footage and a trip down memory lane charting his development as an artist. The programmes will explore his early days in Bradford, his time at the RCA in London where he was a star pupil, and his move to Los Angeles in the 1960s, where he produced some of his most famous and popular pieces, including the swimming pool series. The legendary artist will also sit down with Melvyn Bragg for a definitive interview filmed over a period of four hours.

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, Sky, said: “It’s a rare privilege to have access to an artist who has remained at the height of his powers well into his 80s. This definitive series on David Hockney, brilliantly authored and illuminated by Melvyn Bragg, promises to be an eye-opening treat for art lovers as we uncover the process of a true legend.”

Melvyn Bragg said: “David Hockney is one of the most remarkable artists this country has ever had. In his mid-eighties he’s still working flat out, and he’s had over 400 exhibitions. This celebration brings the essence of that together in what we hope will be a defining programme about David’s work and his ideas about art."

Celebrating David Hockney (w/t) was commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment for Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content for Sky UK and Ireland. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Benedetta Pinelli. The series is produced by Directors Cut Productions.