Le Plongeur (Paper Pool 18): Paper pool work by David Hockney

  • Le Plongeur (Paper Pool No. 18), 1978, work by David Hockney

    Le Plongeur (Paper Pool No. 18), 1978

     Coloured and pressed paper pulp, each panel 90 x 70 cm, overall size 1.8 x 4.25 m

    Unique work

    ©David Hockney

    Back to: Paper Pools

    David Hockney's Le Plongeur, Paper Pool 18, 1978 is a large scale work from the Paper Pools series, depicting the precise moment a diver enters the swimming pool. Created in coloured, pressed paper pulp, the composition draws the eye from the iconic yellow diving board to the dramatic white splash before revealing the swimmer beneath the shimmering water. Hockney uses rippling reflections and bold colour contrasts to capture the movement, transparency and light that fascinated him throughout his career.

     

    Created in collaboration with Kenneth Tyler at Tyler Graphics, Le Plongeur demonstrates Hockney's innovative use of coloured, pressed paper pulp to recreate the changing appearance of water. The panoramic format enhances the sense of movement, while the textured surface gives the pool remarkable depth and luminosity. Widely regarded as a unique work, Le Plongeur is one of the most dynamic compositions within the Paper Pools series.

  • "Water in swimming pools changes its look more than in any other form its colour can be man-made and its dancing rhythms reflect not only the sky."

     

    - David Hockney

    The Paper Pools series reflects David Hockney's belief that artistic innovation comes through experimentation. Rather than treating paper as a surface to print on, Hockney used it as the medium itself, working with coloured paper pulp to create images with depth, texture and subtle variations in colour. This approach allowed him to produce works that combined the qualities of printmaking, painting and sculpture, demonstrating his continual willingness to challenge traditional artistic techniques.