David Hockney plays with perspective in new Venice exhibit

VENICE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- David Hockney, one of the most famous British artists of our generation, has moved back to Los Angeles. And this time, he's not focused on sunshine and swimming pools - he's playing with perspective.

David Hockney: Painting and Photography is a solo exhibition on view at L.A. Louver gallery in Venice, July 16 - Sept. 19.

Hockney left England two years ago to return to his home in the Hollywood Hills, where he's been inspired to combine photographs and painting.

Many of his works play on perspective.

"I started on these photographs and I think they're very 3-D, really. I know why. I know it's because of perspective," Hockney said.

A number of Hockney's subjects were on hand at the exhibit preview - happy to pose by their likeness.

The new work is closely protected and crews were asked to keep the camera moving or have a person in the shot. At times it was hard to tell which was real. Hockney called his work, "photographic drawings."

"Well, they are photographs, actually, but they're also drawn," he said.

The artist is 77 years old. When others might retire, Hockney is still inventing new ways to see the world.

"No, I'm not going to retire. I don't go out much. I'm too deaf. I stay in. I smoke. I feel OK," he said.

Hockney seems determined to redefine time as well as space.

For more information about the exhibit, visit www.lalouver.com.