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Hockney nail portrait rehung in city's new market

Bradford Council A portrait of the artist David Hockney. It is comprised of 12 different squares, laid out in a four times three formation and shows the painter smoking a cigarette. It is set against a yellow wall.Bradford Council
The portrait will greet visitors to the Darley Street market when it opens next year

An artwork depicting acclaimed artist David Hockney is to be rehung in Bradford's new city centre market.

The portrait of the famous Bradford-born painter, which is made entirely of nails, will be placed on the top floor of the Darley Street Market.

Created by Shipley-based artist Marcus Levine, the artwork was completed in 2017 to mark Hockney's 80th birthday.

For seven years it hung in the Little Germany area of the city, before being reinstalled in its new home.

Bradford Council One square of the David Hockney portrait featuring a close-up of the painter's bespectacled face, standing against some railingsBradford Council
The portrait stood in Bradford's Little Germany area for seven years

Mr Levine said that the portrait had been "one of the biggest creative challenges" of his artistic career.

The portrait only features the primary colours of red, blue and yellow.

But the way they are combined makes it appear from a distance as if a full spectrum of colours has been used.

Bradford Council Artist Marcus Levine stands in front of his artwork and a yellow wall. He is wearing a black leather coat and tinted glassesBradford Council
Artist Marcus Levine said creating the work had been one of the "biggest challenges" of his career

"Up close, it appears as an abstract nail sculpture, but as you step back, everything comes into focus," Mr Levine said.

He said he was "thrilled" it had been moved to the new building.

"Even more people will be able to enjoy it, and as people will now be able to get closer up to the piece, they will be able to see how it’s been put together."

Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration Alex Ross-Shaw said: "I first met Marcus a few years ago and suggested to him that Darley Street Market would be a fitting home for this amazing artwork and I’m delighted that it’s now happened and will be enjoyed and appreciated by thousands of visitors to the market for many years to come."

Bradford Council A close-up shot of blue, yellow and red nails which make up the portraitBradford Council
The portrait is made entirely of blue, red and yellow nails

Well-known for his vivid and colourful prints of rolling hills and countryside settings, Hockney is considered one of most influential British artists of the 20th Century.

His portrait will greet visitors to the Darley Street market when it opens early next year after a £27m development.

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