Two boys get into it (We Two Boys Together Clinging)

This is one of those works about which ordinary people often say: "My kid would draw better." The painting seems crude, childish, expressive, written as if in an emotional rush. It is difficult to attribute to any artistic technique, it is not like even a caricature. "We two boys together clinging" is more of a challenge, not a work of art that can be admired. This work was a challenge that David Hockney abandoned conventional society and traditional art.

This painting was painted in 1961, when Hockney studied at the Royal College of art. The young artist received a classical education and was a diligent student, whom he admired teachers. He became famous by the images of people and landscapes, executed with almost photographic accuracy. And this picture, seemingly careless and hastily written was a kind of outrageous statement Hockney to address traditional school of painting. A statement, loudly screaming: "I will paint as I please".

As for the plot canvas, that he was calling decent British society with its puritanical principles. And here it sounds another statement: "I'll be whatever you want". Two boys (or young men), painted garish bright red paint on the background wall with graffiti, don't just stretch and hold each other. The air between them, ringing voltage, and the artist makes it visible, stretching between the characters thin thread. They are one against the world. Perhaps it is this promise carries with it the poem of Walt Whitman, whose name Hockney borrowed for this picture. This is evidenced by a small passage written by the artist on the canvas: "Power enjoying, elbows stretching, fingers clutching, Arm d and fearless, eating, drinking, sleeping, loving" ("Enjoying the power, tie elbows, clenches our fingers. Armed and fearless, eating, drinking, sleeping, love").

Author: Eugene Sidelnikov