Howard Hodgkin’s Mastery of Dark Spaces in Art
Howard Hodgkin: A Masterful Exploration of Form and Emotion
LONDON — The intricate dance between boldness and subtlety defines the exhibition of prints by the late Howard Hodgkin at Pitzhanger Manor. The carefully curated assortment breathes life into a journey through artistic expression, capturing audiences with its colorful explorations and dynamic pairings.
Dominating the entrance is a fragile easel display, contrasting with a robust bronze statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of commerce, setting a tone of artistic duality. Hodgkin’s vibrant print welcomes visitors with a daring array of palm fronds, positing questions of belonging and harmony within the rural Georgian structure once inhabited by architect Sir John Soane.
As attendees descend to the ground floor, they are greeted by a light-filled gallery, its circular skylights cheerfully enhanced by insets of colored glass. The transformation from a bustling kitchen to a contemplative gallery is palpable, evoking a vibrant sense of purpose in showcasing Hodgkin’s work. Here, 15 prints congregate in thought-provoking harmony, inviting interpretation and emotional connection within the neoclassical space.
The journey continues as attendees traverse dim corridors and intimate spaces, engage with thematic groupings, and explore the refined nuances that distinguish print from painting. A hidden gallery lit by stark spotlights houses Hodgkin’s paintings, where contrast heightens the viewer’s awareness of texture, depth, and the charged emotions inherent in his brushwork and surface selections.
Howard’s tactile artistry on board, reminiscent of contemporaries like Kossoff and Auerbach, resonated through his lifetime of revisiting canvases — punishing them into submission. The canvas became a battleground, burgeoning with paint that often breached the frame’s boundary, challenging viewers with its robust, untamable energy.
While Hodgkin famously disavowed abstraction, declaring his work representations of emotional landscapes, an enigmatic air persisted. The inclusion of a piece named “David,” a veiled homage to artist David Hockney, acknowledges a shared camaraderie and artistic dialogue, subtly weaving personal narratives into Hodgkin’s compositions.
As the exhibition unfolds, it gently exposes the personal and collaborative nature inherent in printmaking. The intimate cluster of works expands the dialogue between form and feeling, each salable painting and print contributing to a broader narrative on the potency of visual language.
The journey through Hodgkin’s creative psyche is both temporal and timeless, leaving an indelible imprint. The exhibition, encapsulated in the historic Pitzhanger Manor, allows patrons to traverse past and present, immersing them in the emotive potency and careful deliberation of Howard Hodgkin’s storied career.
Howard Hodgkin: In a Public Garden remains on view at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery until March 8, 2026. Curated by Richard Calvocoressi, the collection offers a unique opportunity to engage with the legacy of an artist whose work continues to transcend both time and space.