THIS vibrant print by Howard Hodgkin, from Worcester City’s collection, shows a swimming pool thought to belong to fellow artist David Hockney.

Hockney himself is best known for a series of paintings of California swimming pools in the 1970s, a subject which clearly also inspired his friend Hodgkin to make this piece.

Hodgkin was born in Hammersmith, London, in 1932. He was evacuated with his mother and older sister to the USA in 1940 where he visited the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan and was introduced to works by Stuart Davis, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso.

He later attended Eton College and Camberwell Art School in London, and the Bath Academy of Art, before holding his first solo show in London in 1962. His paintings and prints are characterised by rich jewel-like colours and his work is most often associated with abstraction.

This print will be on display at the City Art Gallery & Museum alongside works from the Arts Council Collection, as part of the exciting new exhibition The Printed Line which opens today.

The exhibition shows the variety of printmaking techniques which artists have used to explore potential of the printed line: from the thick, velvety lines of drypoint and intensity of etching to delicate wood engravings and boldly coloured screen-prints. There is a huge variety of work to enjoy including pieces by Picasso, Matisse, and Hockney.

You can celebrate the opening of the exhibition in style with a special edition of Museum After Hours, which was released online yesterday evening on Museums Worcestershire’s YouTube account.

Enjoy the ambience of an evening at the Art Gallery – from home – with a beautiful flute performance, cocktail-making demonstrations from Tonic bar, and a chat with The Printed Line’s curator.

Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum is open Monday to Saturday, from 10.30am-4.30pm and is Covid-secure with measures in place so you can enjoy your visit safely.

For more information, visit museumsworcestershire.org.uk or call 01905 25371.