David Hockney gallery opens in Bradford as artist turns 80

A new art gallery celebrating the work of Bradford's David Hockney opens in his home city today – ahead of his 80th birthday this weekend.

The gallery, at Cartwright Hall, features family photographs from Hockney's own personal albums, being displayed publicly for the first time, a new short film of unreleased material of Hockney talking and working at his East Yorkshire studio, rarely exhibited early sketchbooks and the largest public collection of work from his time at Bradford School of Art

Jill Iredale, curator at Cartwright Hall, said: "In creating this gallery we are able to show the incredible early years of Hockney's work in the immediate context of his family and surroundings, something only truly possible here in his home city.

"It has been fascinating to look closely at the work Hockney created whilst still living in Bradford and visitors to the gallery will see some revealing early practice and influences on an artist widely recognised for his sun-drenched LA swimming pools or colourful East Yorkshire hills."

Bradford Council chief executive Kersten England said: "An incredible artist with decades of work to his name, we are immensely proud to call David Hockney one of our own."

To mark Hockney's birthday on Sunday, there will be a series of free events at Cartwright Hall and Lister Park, including performances, workshops and interactive activities.

• Click below to watch the video report from Emily Kerr