Three months ago, I was privileged enough to sneak a peek as
'Bigger Trees Near Warter' was being put up at Ferens, the day before the preview. A preview of the preview, if you will. Mr Hockney's trees, and the gallery itself, began to cast a spell on me that day (but that's a whole other story...one that I hope has been told through my blog posts during the time '
Bigger Trees...' were in Hull). Last week, I was able to mark the end of our journey together by seeing all 50 panels individually encased in protective wooden boxes, waiting to be replanted where Mr Hockney himself began his own journey. And while I can't pretend it didn't make me a little (OK, a lot) emotional at the sight of the blank wall where the trees once grew, I was excited at the prospect of seeing them in their new environment.
Because the day after 'Bigger Trees...' closed to the public at Ferens, members of the Hockney Research Group headed to Cartwright Hall in Bradford, at their kind invitation, after a member of the group offered the branch of friendship (sorry, couldn't resist), offering to share our experiences, in the hope of benefiting their volunteer experience. The photo above is one I took on approaching the Hall, which we learned was a purpose-built gallery, which is situated in the beautiful Lister Park. Mr Hockney's trees won't be lonely, surrounded by so many of the real things! We were allowed to look around the room where the trees will thrive for 6 months, and my not very articulate, yet instinctive reaction was: "Oh. My. God." Then I got out my camera - It was breathtaking - the high windows, domed roof and natural light promise to create a whole new set of effects upon the canvasses. I was surprised to learn that Bradford would be showing the painting on a purpose built wall too, as we had been led to believe that the Ferens would be the only place where it would be displayed that way. But, excitingly, at Cartwright Hall, the curve of the wall will display 3 panels at each side, as opposed to the 2 at Ferens. This promises to create a whole new way of experiencing the trees.
The gallery was closed to the public on the day we visited, so we were treated to a private tour of the Hockney works in their collection: 'Bolton Junction, Eccleshill' (painted when Hockney was studying at Bradford School of Art, depicting a Bradford scene), 'Gordale Scar Yorkshire Jan', a selection of graphics inspired by Picasso, and, my personal favourite, 'Le Plongeur'. Approaching the room it was housed in, and being hit by the colours and ripple effects of the water, was really special. We were also shown works by David Oxtoby, who was at Bradford School of Art with Hockney. It was really interesting to have the links and contrasts between the two highlighted to us. Also on display, and of personal interest to me, were a Warhol 'Marilyn', a Lichtenstein and a Lowry, among many others. We were also given a peek at the 'Other Trees' exhibition, which was being hung, which will accompany 'Bigger Trees...'. The gallery describes how "on display will be artworks in a range of media including 'The Lemon Tree' by Henry Scott Tuke painted en plein air; a life-size Kadam Tree woven from wicker as well as Art Nouveau furniture by Christopher Pratt of Bradford and carved wooden birds."
It was lovely to share our volunteer experiences with the staff at Cartwright Hall - it really brought home to me what an amazing experience it had been (and take my mind off the trees' imminent departure), and the feedback we received indicated that the spell the trees cast at the Ferens was already rubbing off on their next, and final, audience. As we drove past Bradford Grammar School, down the road from Cartwright Hall, it felt entirely fitting to make the link between where Mr Hockney began, as a sapling, and the recent work where we can see what he grew up to become - a mighty sycamore. I returned to Hull, to a blazing orange sunset over the Ferens, knowing the trees were still inside. Our journey together was almost over. It was time to begin new ones. The pieces are still the same. Bur from now on they will look slightly different.
'Bigger Trees Warter' is on display at Cartwright Hall, Bradford, from 1 October 2011 - 4 March 2012, ending its year long tour of Yorkshire, as part of 'Art In Yorkshire' sponsored by the Tate, who Mr Hockney donated 'Bigger Trees...' to on his 70th birthday, as a gift to the nation. 'Mr Hockney In Hull' would like to thank everyone we met at Cartwright Hall for their kind invitation and warm welcome, wishes them every success in displaying the painting, and hopes Mr Hockney in Bradford will bring as much magic as he did to the Ferens.
POST AUTHOR CM
