Most of the obituaries and tributes to David Hockney will, I imagine, focus primarily on his extraordinary craft and brilliance as an artist. Perhaps they might also mention his brilliance as a communicator (he was such a fine writer and speaker). But there was something else rather unique about him too. He was also strikingly honest about the tricks/techniques artists use and used to paint. His book Secret Knowledge is a rather wonderful detective work into how renaissance and Dutch golden age painters used glass and mirrors to help them master perspective. It's a pretty compelling case (see this video clip from a BBC doc he made alongside the book👇) though I'm sure some art historians will raise their eyebrows. Many will be aghast at the notion that greats like Vermeer might have been using lenses and camera obscuras to help them draw and paint. As if it were in some way "cheating". But Hockney was so self-evidently brilliant he was one of the few people who could document this without anyone gainsaying his own talent. There are very few artists, living or dead, who have this degree of self-confidence. Not just to know their craft, but to be bracingly honest about how it works. One other who comes to mind is Paul Simon: not just an extraordinary musician but is also an extraordinary communicator about the tricks and techniques of how to write and perform music. For many great artists, the temptation is to cloak their crafts in mystery, like a member of the magic circle. Hockney wasn't having any of it. So yes, he was a legend in all the obvious ways. But also in a few other less obvious ways as well. RIP.

Few entertainers have the privilege of going by one name: Cher. Prince. Beyoncé. And then there’s Sade. Born Helena Folsade Adu, Sade spent her early years in Nigeria before moving to England with her mother at age four. Her nickname, which eventually became her stage name, originated in Nigeria as a shortened version of her middle name.

The sun was shining this morning, then dulled when I heard that #DavidHockney has died. A curmudgeonly Yorkshireman, who smoked to the end. A brilliant artist, proud of his roots but bringing colour to the very tip of his branches

What an opportunity for art educators! I only wish I lived nearer….

Who is doing this 😂😂😂😂😂

...very touching video about Ukrainian children... (from April 2022) ...unfortunately, the number of these children is still growing... ...we must support #Ukraine in all possible ways to stop increasing of this number... #StandWithUkraine🇺🇦🙏🕊️ x.com/MFA_Ukraine/status/151…

..sunset over #Troja.. ..from my window in #Holešovice today..🌇🌆🌃🌉 #Prague7 @Praha_7 ..always reminds me this: youtu.be/uS4SMs1r6jo?si=c34e…🎶 Waterloo Sunset by #DamonAlbarn & #RayDavis

When Jason started his Supported Internship, he had one goal in mind: university. 🎓 Jason shares how building confidence, independence and workplace skills helped him achieve this goal and prepare for the future! Interested in Supported Internships? Whether you're a student, parent, carer, employer or potential partner, we'd love to hear from you: connect@pinccollege.co.uk #SupportedInternship #StudentSuccess #SEND #Neurodiversity

Teacher workload is still a big problem, research shows, despite repeated government attempts to get a grip on the issue. School leaders tell us why tes.com/magazine/analysis/ge…

CLA Research Spotlight | May 2026 This month Professor Pat Thomson, CLA’s Senior Evidence Associate reports on a valuable art-focused UK study on the impact of arts and cultural engagement on adolescent mental health.

Today is #BiodiversityDay! 🌍 Protecting biodiversity is not just about nature. It is about protecting the systems that sustain our lives. Through #BiosphereReserves, @UNESCO works with communities and scientists to protect ecosystems, restore habitats and support sustainable livelihoods. Discover how: unesco.org/en/mab #ForNature #ForThePeople @UNESCO_MAB

..today's workshop in Eco-studio of #PragueCityGallery in #TrojaChateau #Prague7.. ..making traditional Japanese bamboo flutes..🇯🇵🌸🎶 ghmp.cz/en/education/oranger… ghmp.cz/en/buildings/ghmp-za… ghmp.cz/en/the-garden-of-tro…

Career opportunities across our group of organisations are now open: pinccollege.ac.uk/pinc-job-v…… #FE #SEND @greatermcr @LeedsCC_News @bradfordmdc @CityWestminster @WestYorkshireCA @StokeCityCentre @StaffordshireCC @RBKC @PincLondon @cityoflondon @BhamCityCouncil

..Second Fire / Love Letter to Baikal..💌 ..new exhibition in #HouseOfPhotography #PragueCityGallery #Prague.. ghmp.cz/en/exhibitions/the-s… press-en.ghmp.cz/p/the-secon… ghmp.cz/en/buildings/ghmp-du…

It is with deep sadness that we let you know that our beloved Past-President (1985-1988), Marie-Françoise Chavanne, departed this world today, surrounded by her loving family. Our deepest sympathies go out to her daughters, family, friends, and everyone who knew her.

The InSEA Regional Conference in Taiwan 15/16 May just finished. An amazing group of speakers, culture, research students, food, organisers etc . Art education is STRONG in Asia.

So pleased to welcome @Akademi to the Arts and Minds campaign.

Reading Ofsted report on sch within an academy chain which is well-known for v strict ethos. Ofsted's section "What it's like to be a pupil at this school" wd leave parents having to read between lines to get sense of this. Text looks formulaic. Wondering re point of inspections.

A government truly committed to addressing weaknesses of the multi-academy trust system would be looking at this.

We’re delighted to welcome Art UK to the Arts and Minds campaign coalition.