Hockney was born in Bradford, England. He won widespread recognition while still a student at the Royal College of Art in London. His early work is often associated with the British Pop Art movement. In 1964 Hockney moved to Los Angeles, where he still lives. The open spaces, bright light and sensuous lifestyle of Southern California influenced his work. His paintings became more naturalistic and he worked more frequently from photographs and drawings. His recent work has explored the use of technology to make art, such as photocopiers, fax machines and Polaroid cameras.
An art movement of the 1950s to the 1970s that was primarily based in Britain and the United States. Pop artists are so called because of their use of imagery from popular culture. They also introduced techniques and materials from the commercial world, such as screen-printing, to fine art practice.