Hodgkin, Howard (1932-2017), was a leading British painter. A bold, individualistic painter who worked on framed wooden panels, Hodgkin’s style appears abstract, yet makes clear reference to figurative images. Such paintings as Mr and Mrs E.J.P. (1972-1973) and Clean Sheets (1982-1984) capture figures and interiors with a particular emotional force. Hodgkin’s paintings are small in scale. He painted deliberately, sometimes taking years to complete a picture. The influence of Indian miniatures can be seen in his use of flat colors and decorative borders. Hodgkin also made silkscreen prints and lithographs.
Hodgkin was born on Aug. 6, 1932, in London. He studied at Camberwell School of Art, London (1949-1950), and at Bath Academy (1950-1954) before teaching at Bath, and later at Chelsea School of Art. In 1984, Hodgkin exhibited at the Venice Biennale art exposition and, a year later, he won the Turner Prize, the United Kingdom’s highest award in the visual arts. Beginning in the early 1980’s, he also designed stage sets for the Royal Ballet and Ballet Rambert. He was knighted in 1992. Hodgkin died on March 9, 2017.
