A Rare Peek Into David Hockney’s Creative World at the Fondation Louis Vuitton

Visiting the 2025 David Hockney exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris felt like stepping into both a grand celebration of his immense body of work and an intimate journey into his creative process. The show spanned decades of paintings and drawings, yet what truly captivated me were the moments where the curtain was pulled back — glimpses into his studio practice. These thoughtful corners revealed photos, stories, and displays of the tools that shaped his art: jars of ink, bamboo pens, brushes, and simple markers infused with memory and gesture.

“Even the humblest tools carry the memory of a thousand gestures. Each brush, each jar, a story in the making.”

A Peek Behind the Curtain

What fascinated me most wasn’t only Hockney’s paintings, but the chance to glimpse into how he worked. The exhibition offered corners of his studio life, almost as if you were peeking through his window — art tables scattered with inks, jars of bamboo pens, rustic brushes, delicate plumas, and even simple markers. Every tool felt infused with character, each carrying the memory of a thousand gestures and ideas.

There’s a particular intimacy in seeing an artist’s tools. They’re not pristine or untouchable; they’re worn, stained, alive with use. I found myself gazing at jars of ink and boxes of markers with the same reverence as one might give to a finished canvas. In those objects, you could almost sense the rhythm of Hockney’s hand, the energy of his decisions, and the quiet persistence of daily practice — all laid bare across a simple red-checkered table.

Learning from the Tools of a Master

I was struck by the diversity yet surprising simplicity of his materials. Inspiring, but also strangely attainable — just a blend of the traditional and the everyday, and still they carried the full weight of his practice. It reminded me that great art doesn’t require extravagant tools, but rather an openness to experimentation. The magic lies in how an artist transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Catching glimpses of Hockney’s process through these exhibition windows reinforced something I believe deeply: that the heart of creativity lives within ourselves, and that the willingness to play is what gives it life. The simplicity of the setup, the quiet presence of materials, become companions to the magic of creation. Seeing the traces of his hand — sketching, dotting, layering color — even secondhand, felt like watching curiosity turn into form. It was both reassuring and electrifying: reassuring because it showed how simple tools are enough, electrifying because it gave me permission to experiment even more in my own practice.

“A rare glimpse into the quiet intimacy of Hockney’s process — where a simple bamboo pen meets paper, and imagination takes form.”

The Inspiration it Left Me With

The exhibition left me buzzing with ideas. It reminded me that art often begins with the courage to sit down and engage with whatever tools are at hand. Even a humble bamboo stick dipped in ink can become a bridge between imagination and the page. And seeing Hockney’s world laid out through photographs, notes, and images of his studio made me realize that the space of making — with all its jars, brushes, and scraps — is itself a work of art, a landscape of potential.

Leaving the Fondation Louis Vuitton that day, I felt as though I was carrying a piece of Hockney’s spirit with me — not in physical objects, but in the reminder that creativity is alive in the simplest gestures.

Sometimes inspiration doesn’t come from the masterpiece hanging on the wall, but from the stained brushes resting in a jar beside it.

The intimacy of sketches — ideas in motion. (Swipe through the gallery for more glimpses).

On a more personal note:

✨ Being who I am, I couldn’t help myself — the exhibition sent me tumbling down a rabbit hole, sparking a little treasure hunt through my own studio shelves. I rediscovered inks, pens, and brushes that I’m now eager to explore and experiment with. Here’s a peek into that toolbox — and who knows, you might see them come alive in my work soon. Take a look here*

BAMBOO PEN & BRUSH COMBO

BAMBOO SKETCHING PEN LARGE

CALLIGRAPHY PEN SET

LIQUID WATERCOLOR INK SET x 10

CONCERTINA SKETCHBOOK

MASKING FLUID

PROFESSIONAL ART BLACK PENCILS X 6

ART & GRAPHIC PITT ARTIST PEN BRUSH INDIA INK

David Hockney’s Exhibit at Foundation Louis Vuitton Paris

*As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through links on this page — at no extra cost to you. Visit my store front page for more recommendations in art materials, art books and much more.

Thank you for your support!