Original Artworks by Howard Hodgkin

  • Howard Hodgkin was a celebrated British painter best known for his vibrant, emotionally charged abstract works that blurred the boundaries between painting and object. Working predominantly with oil on wood, Hodgkin created richly layered surfaces using broad, gestural brushstrokes and intense, often unexpected colours. Though his paintings may appear abstract at first glance, they are rooted in personal memories and fleeting moments, distilled through a deeply intuitive process.

     

    Hodgkin resisted easy categorisation, favouring a language of marks and moods over literal representation. His frames, often painted as part of the composition, challenged conventional ideas about where a painting begins and ends. A Turner Prize winner and representative of Britain at the Venice Biennale in 1984, Hodgkin’s influence on contemporary art remains profound.

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  • Biography
    View works. Howard Hodgkin
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    Sir Gordon Howard Eliot Hodgkin (6 August 1932 – 9 March 2017) was a distinguished British painter and printmaker known for his evocative, richly coloured works that straddle the line between abstraction and representation. Born in Hammersmith, London, he was educated at Eton and later Bryanston, but left both schools to pursue a life dedicated to art. During the Second World War, he lived in the United States, where early visits to the Museum of Modern Art in New York left a lasting impression. He went on to study at Camberwell School of Art and Bath Academy of Art, where he later taught.

     

    Hodgkin’s paintings often emerged from personal experiences, translating memory and emotion into layered, gestural compositions. He frequently painted on wood panels, incorporating the frame into the work itself, challenging conventional boundaries in painting. Though his style appeared abstract, Hodgkin considered himself a representational artist, intent on capturing the essence of moments and feelings.

     

    He held his first solo exhibition in 1962 and gained international recognition over the following decades. In 1984 he represented Britain at the Venice Biennale, and in 1985 he won the Turner Prize. He was knighted in 1992 and appointed a Companion of Honour in 2003. Hodgkin also produced prints, designed for the stage, and completed major public commissions including a mural in New Delhi for the British Council.

     

    His work is held in prestigious collections such as Tate, MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hodgkin’s legacy is one of colour, intimacy and emotional depth.

  • FAQs

    Howard Hodgkin was best known for his abstract paintings, which were deeply rooted in personal memory and emotion. Although his work may appear non-representational, Hodgkin considered himself a painter of emotional reality rather than literal scenes. He used bold, gestural brushstrokes and vibrant colours to evoke the atmosphere of moments rather than depict them directly. Often working with oil paint on wooden panels, sometimes including the frame as part of the composition, his work blurred the boundary between painting and object. Hodgkin’s art invites contemplation, rewarding viewers with a sense of emotional depth and expressive intensity.

    Howard Hodgkin is celebrated for his unique and emotionally resonant approach to painting, which challenged conventional ideas about abstraction. He brought a deeply personal sensibility to modern British art, bridging memory, feeling and visual form. His rejection of rigid categories and his refusal to align with any particular movement gave his work a distinctive voice. Recognition came with numerous accolades, including representing Britain at the Venice Biennale in 1984 and winning the Turner Prize in 1985. Hodgkin’s influence continues to be felt in contemporary painting, and his works are held in major collections worldwide, solidifying his status as a major figure in post-war British art.

    Hodgkin’s paintings often explored themes of memory, time, intimacy and emotional experience. Rather than depicting events or places directly, he aimed to capture the feeling of a moment, often drawn from personal encounters, friendships, or travels. His use of colour and composition conveyed mood rather than narrative, allowing viewers to engage emotionally rather than intellectually. Many of his works were titled after moments or relationships, reinforcing their autobiographical nature. Hodgkin’s approach to painting was introspective and poetic, giving visual form to fleeting thoughts and sensations that might otherwise be lost to time. His work is often described as visual equivalents of memory.

    Howard Hodgkin predominantly used oil paint, often working on wooden panels rather than canvas. This choice gave his paintings a unique solidity and allowed him to integrate the frame into the artwork itself. He built his compositions with multiple layers of paint, creating a rich surface texture that conveyed a sense of depth and movement. His brushwork was expressive and bold, with sweeping gestures and carefully considered colour combinations. Hodgkin was also a skilled printmaker, creating hand-painted etchings and monotypes that echoed the emotional intensity of his paintings. His materials and techniques were essential to the visceral impact of his work..

    If you're looking to acquire artwork by Howard Hodgkin, Contemporary Six in Manchester is a trusted and reputable source. The gallery has featured a range of his works, including limited edition prints and original pieces, and offers expert guidance to collectors and first-time buyers alike. Contemporary Six takes great care in curating high-quality, authenticated works, making it a reliable destination for those interested in Hodgkin’s art. They often exhibit pieces in-gallery and online, providing opportunities to view and purchase works that reflect Hodgkin’s distinctive use of colour and emotional intensity. For anyone seeking to invest in or simply enjoy his work, Contemporary Six is an excellent place to begin.