David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) will make its US debut at Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts from March 7 to September 6, 2027.
The immersive exhibition spotlights the Bradford-born artist’s decades-long career through large-scale projections, offering visitors a vivid journey through his creative evolution.
The exhibition David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) will open at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas next year (Image: David Sutcliffe)
Gary Tinterow, director and Margaret Alkek Williams chair of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, said: “Having had the joy and privilege of collaborating with David Hockney over the years, I am especially pleased that we will host this marvellous journey through the artist’s life and work.
“While visitors in the UK and Asia have been able to experience this remarkable co-production with London’s Lightroom, our presentation will be the first opportunity for U.S. audiences.”
Hockney, who died in 2026, was known for experimenting across media and for his optimistic worldview.
Over a career spanning more than 60 years, he helped shape contemporary art as a painter, printmaker, photographer, filmmaker and stage designer.
London-based production house Lightroom developed the exhibition with Hockney and specialises in immersive digital environments.
Hockney narrates the 50-minute experience, which is divided into six themed chapters.
Hundreds of images fill the gallery, exploring his artistic methods, personal journey and creative breakthroughs.
Stop-motion animation and live-action footage show Hockney’s distinctive view of art and life.
It highlights his use of photography as a drawing tool, digital sketching on the iPad and his belief that only paint can capture the Grand Canyon’s scale.
Alison de Lima Greene, Isabel Brown Wilson curator of modern and contemporary art, said: “David Hockney’s work speaks to all audiences with extraordinary clarity.
“Visitors can enter the monumental Bigger & Closer environment at any time to experience Hockney’s continually unfolding cycle of creation and invention.
“Alongside the installation, we will show other works by Hockney, including The Four Seasons, Woldgate Woods video cycle (2010–11) and works on paper.”
Hockney and Lightroom created the exhibition with Mark Grimmer, the David Hockney Studio and composer Nico Muhly.
The experience features some of Hockney’s most recognisable paintings alongside rarely seen pieces and newly created work.