Queues warning as Hockney exhibition proves quite a draw

The vast David Hockney retrospective opened at the Royal Academy of Art on Saturday, with the gallery warning of “huge demand” for tickets.

The exhibition features around 200 pieces of work by the 74-year-old Bradford-born artist, including his colourful trademark landscapes of the Yorkshire Wolds around his Bridlington home, as well as sketches drawn on his iPad and a room featuring video art.

With all advance tickets now sold, people are being told to turn up and queue for a limited number released each morning if they want to see the work of the man considered by many to be Britain’s finest living artist.

The academy said on its Twitter feed yesterday there has been “huge demand” and warned that queues were at least an hour long.

A statement on its website said demand for tickets is “extremely high.”

Hockney has faced criticism from an unexpected quarter, however – his former tutor at the Bradford College of Art.

Derek Stafford, who taught the young Hockney in the 1950s, said his protege’s work is “too gaudy”.

He explained: “David has become, well, more of a decorator with all those colours.

“If you do landscapes, then look at how Cezanne did them and his subdued colours.

“I’m sorry to say that what David does now is rubbish.”