Midnight Pool (Paper Pool 10): Coloured and pressed paper pulp work by David Hockney

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David Hockney's Midnight Pool (Paper Pool 10), 1978 is one of the most distinctive works from the Paper Pools series, marking a departure from the sunlit swimming pool scenes that characterise much of Hockney's work. Executed in coloured, pressed paper pulp, the composition depicts the familiar pool motif under the cover of darkness, creating a dramatically different atmosphere. The bright yellow diving boards seen in earlier works are replaced by a bold black form extending into the centre of the composition, while the pool appears illuminated from beneath. Concentric rings of light blue, teal and deep blue radiate across the water, suggesting the glow of underwater lighting and transforming the pool into an almost abstract study of colour and light. A small flight of pool steps in the lower corner provides the only architectural detail, anchoring the otherwise simplified composition.

Created in collaboration with Kenneth Tyler at Tyler Graphics, Midnight Pool (Paper Pool 10) demonstrates David Hockney's continued experimentation with coloured, pressed paper pulp and his fascination with capturing different lighting conditions. By constructing the work from coloured paper fibres rather than traditional printing inks, Hockney achieved a richly textured surface that enhances the luminous quality of the water and the subtle transitions between light and shadow.