David Hockney’s Homemade Prints from 1986 are remarkable examples of how an artist can harness emerging technology to push the boundaries of traditional art forms. In total, Hockney created 33 prints in this series, all of which were made using a color copy machine—a highly unconventional approach at the time.

WORK IN PROGRESS

 

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Introduction

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In 1986, Hockney began experimenting with the photocopier as a new medium for printmaking. This innovative process significantly shaped his creative output in the months that followed.

“I love new mediums… I think mediums can turn you on, they can excite you; they always let you do something in a different way. Even if you take the same subject, if you draw it in a different way, or if you are forced to simplify it—to make it bold because it is too finicky—I like that.”

By transforming the photocopier, an everyday office staple of the 1980s, into an accessible and dynamic artistic tool, Hockney redefined perceptions of the machine’s potential. While many artists have hesitated to embrace emerging technologies, Hockney has consistently evolved alongside them, always adapting his printmaking to incorporate new technological possibilities, as demonstrated in this work.

The use of the copy machine was revolutionary for several reasons. It allowed Hockney to maintain complete creative control and spontaneity, bypassing the often time-consuming and collaborative process typically required in printmaking. By using a copy machine, he could experiment with color and composition directly, without the interruptions that come with traditional printing methods. Hockney himself noted that this method allowed him to get closer to the experience of painting, as he could revise and alter his work rapidly, almost instantaneously.

David Hockney photographed in 1988, soon after his first experiments with a friend’s copy machine in February 1986.
Photo: REX/Shutterstock

The subject matter of these prints is equally interesting. The images are light and playful, featuring everyday objects such as plants, fruits, and simple domestic scenes. For example, works like *Apples, Pears & Grapes* and *Dancing Flowers* exemplify this simplicity. The choice of these familiar, pleasant subjects aligns well with the accessible and immediate nature of the medium, reflecting a kind of democratization of art where the process and the subjects are both unpretentious and direct.

In sum, Hockney’s Homemade Prints are not just a series of artworks; they represent a significant shift in how technology can be used to expand the creative possibilities of art, challenging traditional methods and opening new avenues for artistic expression.

 

It occurs to Hockney to take an unconventional printmaking machine in the context of art, the office photocopier, in order to produce layered images much like lithographs. With speed and efficiency, he can switch different colored ink cartridges, reduce or enlarge the scanned image, repeat parts, and “photograph” objects on the scanning bed, all without needing an assistant. From his “Home Made Prints” he designs and publishes a catalogue available for sale at his gallery exhibitions.

 

Please Click below to read an article published by Christie’s.

 

 

 

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2026 Auction Results

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Self-Portrait, July 1986

Bonhams New-York: 8 April 2026
Estimated: USD 25,000 – 35,000
USD 57,600

DAVID HOCKNEY (born 1937)
Self-Portrait, July 1986 (MCAT 295), 1986
Home-made print in colors executed on office copy machine on two sheets of Arches Text laid paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 12/60
Published by the artist, with his blindstamp
In original artist’s frame

Livingroom and Terrace, July 1986

Forum Auctions: 31 March 2026
Estimated: GBP 22,000 – 28,000
GBP 21,000 (Hammer)
GBP 27,612 / USD 36,835

DAVID HOCKNEY (b.1937)
Livingroom and Terrace, July 1986
Homemade print in colors executed on an office color copy machine on two sheets of Arches laid paper
Signed and dated in pencil
Numbered from the edition of 60
Published by the artist, with his blindstamp
In the artist’s original frame

The Red Pot, 1986

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE YORKSHIRE COLLECTION
Christie’s London: 26 March 2026
Estimated: GBP 6,000 – 8,000
GBP 40,640 / USD 54,415

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
The Red Pot (Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo 312), 1986
Handmade print executed on an office color copy machine on laid paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered 43/60, with the artist’s blindstamp lower right
In the artist’s original frame

Dancing Flowers, 1986

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE YORKSHIRE COLLECTION
Christie’s London: 26 March 2026
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 19,050 / USD 25,510

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Dancing Flowers (Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo 307), 1986
Homemade print executed on an office color copy machine on six sheets of laid paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered 44/60, with the artist’s blindstamp lower right
In the artist’s original frame

Landscape with a Plant, 1986

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE YORKSHIRE COLLECTION
Christie’s London: 26 March 2026
Estimated: GBP 6,000 – 8,000
GBP 20,320 / USD 27,210

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Landscape with a Plant (Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo 293), 1986
Homemade print executed on an office color copy machine on laid paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered 35/50, with the artist’s blindstamp lower right
In the artist’s original frame

 

 

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2025 Auction Results

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Grey Blooms, 1986

Bonhams London: 9 December 2025
Estimated: GBP 5,000 – 7,000
GBP 7,040 / USD 9,410

DAVID HOCKNEY (British, born 1937)
Grey Blooms (M.C.A. Tokyo 305), 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on two sheets of Arches Text paper
Signed, dated and numbered 19/50 in pencil
Printed and published by the artist, with his blindstamp

Two Red Chairs, March 1986

Link Auction Galleries: 6 December 2025
Estimated: USD 5,000 – 7,000
USD 12,000 (Hammer)
USD 15,120

DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Two Red Chairs, March 1986
Home made print executed on an office color copy machine
Signed and numbered 42/44
With blindstamp

Green Grey & Blue Plant, July 1986

Bonhams LA: 7 October 2025
Estimated: USD 8,000 – 12,000
USD 16,640

Celia with Chair, 1986

Bonhams LA: 7 October 2025
Estimated: USD 8,000 – 12,000
USD 12,800

Bowl of Fruit, April 1986

Christie’s online: 17 July 2025
Estimated: USD 7,000 – 10,000
USD 9,450

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Bowl of Fruit, April 1986 (Knoedler 12; Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo 299), 1986
Home made print in colors executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered 46/46, published by the artist

Lemons and Oranges, 1986

Christie’s online: 17 July 2025
Estimated: USD 5,000 – 7,000
USD 11,970

DAVID HOCKNEY (B. 1937)
Lemons and Oranges (Knoedler 4), 1986
Home made print in colors executed on an office copy machine on Arches Text paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered 50/50

Red Flowers and Green Leaves, Separate, May 1988

Rago: 5 June 2025
Estimated: USD 8,000 – 10,000
USD 21,590

Ian & Heinz, July 1986

Sotheby’s New-York: 15 April 2025
Estimated: USD 25,000 – 30,000
USD 38,100

DAVID HOCKNEY (b. 1937)
Ian & Heinz, July 1986, from Homemade Prints (M.C.A.T. 292), 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text wove paper
Contained in the artist’s chosen frame
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 12/34

Office Chair, 1988

Bonhams LA: 8 April 2025
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 20,000
USD 21,760

 

 

 

 

 

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Home Made Prints

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PLEASE CLICK ON ANY PICTURE BELOW TO ACCESS THE CATALOGUE ENTRY

Still Life with Curtains, March 1986 (MCAT 289)

Still Life with Curtains, March 1986 from Homemade Prints, 1986
Homemade print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 8 1/2 x 11 inches (21.5 x 27.9 cm)
Edition: 48
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (289)

Black Plant on a Table, 1986 (MCAT 290)

Black Plant on a Table from Homemade Prints, 1986
Homemade print executed on an office color copy machine on six sheets of wove paper
Overall: 29 1/4 x 32 1/2 inches (74.3 x 82.6 cm)
Edition: 30
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (290)

Apples, Pears & Grapes, May 1986 (MCAT 291)

Apples, Pears & Grapes, May 1986 from Homemade Prints, 1986
Homemade print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 8 1/2 x 14 inches (21.6 x 35.6 cm)
Edition: 50
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (291)

Ian & Heinz, July 1986 (MCAT 292)

Ian & Heinz, July 1986 from Homemade Prints, 1986
Homemade print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 8 1/2 x 10 7/8 inches (21.5 x 27.5 cm)
Edition: 34
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (292)

Landscape with a Plant, 1986 (MCAT 293)

Landscape with a Plant from Homemade Prints, 1986
Homemade print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 11×17 inches (28 x 43.2 cm)
Edition: 50
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (293)

Self-Portrait, July 1986 (MCAT 295)

Self-Portrait, July 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on two sheets of Arches text paper
Overall: 22 x 8 1/2 inches (56 x 21.6 cm)
Edition: 60
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo 295

Flowers, Apple and Pear on a Table (MCAT 296)

Flowers, Apple and Pear on a Table from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on four sheets of laid Arches
Overall: 22×17 inches (55.8 x 43.2 cm)
Edition: 59
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (296)

Man Looking for His Glasses, April 1986 (MCAT 297)

Man Looking for His Glasses, April 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 8 1/2 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm)
Edition: 50
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (297)

Two Red Chairs, March 1986 (MCAT 298)

 

Two Red Chairs, March 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches laid paper
Sheet: 8 3/8 x 10 7/8 inches (21.4 x 27.7 cm)
Edition: 44
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (298)

Bowl of Fruits, April 1986 (MCAT 299)

Bowl of Fruits, April 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 10 7/8 x 8 1/2 inches (27.7 x 21.6 cm)
Edition: 46
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (299)

Red, Blue & Green Flowers, July 1986 (MCAT 300)

Red, Blue & Green Flowers, July 1986 from Homemade Prints, 1986
Home-made print in colors executed on an office color copy machine on two sheets of Arches laid paper
Overall: 28 x 8 1/2 inches (71.1 x 21.6 cm)
Edition: 59
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (300)

Waving, April 1986 (MCAT 301)

Waving, April 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 11 x 8 3/8 inches (28 x 21.4 cm)
Edition: 45
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (301)

Man Reading Stendhal July 1986 (MCAT 302)

Man Reading Stendhal July 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 13 7/8 x 8 1/2 inches (35.5 x 21.6 cm)
Edition: 60
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (302)

Livingroom & Terrace, July 1986 (303)

Livingroom & Terrace, July 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print in colors executed on an office copy machine on two sheets of Arches Text wove paper
Overall: 17×22 inches (43.1 x 55.9 cm)
Edition: 60
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (303)

Walking, June 1986 (MCAT 304)

Walking, June 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 17×11 inches (43.1 x 28 cm)
Edition: 59
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (304)

Grey Blooms, May 1986 (MCAT 305)

Grey Blooms, May 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on two sheets of Arches Text paper
Sheet: 14×17 inches (35.6 x 43.2 cm)
Edition: 50
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (305)

Celia with Chair (MCAT 306)

Celia with Chair from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 8 3/8 x 10 7/8 inches (21.4 x 27.8 cm)
Edition: 50
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (306)

Dancing Flowers (MCAT 307)

Dancing Flowers from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print in six parts created on an office color copy machine on acid-free Xerox office paper
Overall: 22 x 25 1/2 inches (55.5 x 64.5 cm)
Edition: 60
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (307)

Mulholland Drive, June 1986 (MCAT 308)

Mulholland Drive, June 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print in black and red executed on an office copy machine on Arches Text wove paper
Sheet: 10 1/2 x 16 7/8 inches (26.8 x 43 cm)
Edition: 50
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (308)

The Round Plate, April 1986 (MCAT 309)

The Round Plate, April 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text wove paper
Sheet: 21.4 x 27.8 cm
Edition: 46
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (309)

The Red Chair, April 1986 (MCAT 310)

The Red Chair, April 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print in colors executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 11 x 8 1/2 inches (27.9 x 21.5 cm)
Edition: 44
Publisher: The Artist
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (310)

The Drooping Plant (MCAT 311)

The Drooping Plant from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches wove paper
Sheet: 11 x 8 1/2 inches (27.9 x 21.5 cm)
Edition: 46
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (311)

Three Black Flowers, May 1986 (MCAT 313)

Three Black Flowers, May 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 11 x 8 1/2 inches (27.9 x 21.5 cm)
Edition: 50
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (313)

The Tall Tree (MCAT 314)

The Tall Tree from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches paper
Sheet: 28 x 8 1/2 inches (71.1 x 21.6 cm)
Edition: 60
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (314)

Growing, June 1986

Growing, June 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine on Arches Text laid paper
Sheet: 11 x 8 1/2 inches (27.9 x 21.7 cm)
Edition: 44
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (315)

Two Red Chairs and Table, March 1986

Two Red Chairs and Table, March 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print executed on an office color copy machine, on Arches Text paper
Sheet: 8 3/8 x 10 7/8 inches (21.4 x 27.8 cm)
Edition: 31
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (316)

Green, Grey and Blue Plant July 1986

Green, Grey and Blue Plant July 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Homemade print in colors executed on an office copier on two sheets of Arches Text paper
Sheet: 17×22 inches (43.2 x 55.9 cm)
Edition: 60
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (317)

Stanley in a Basket, October 1986

Stanley in a Basket, October 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print in colors executed on an office copy machine on Arches Text laid paper
Sheet: 8 1/2 x 14 inches (21.5 x 35.5 cm)
Edition: 50
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (318)

Stanley at 8 Weeks, October 1986

Stanley at 8 Weeks, October 1986 from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print in colors executed on an office copy machine on Arches Text laid paper
Sheet: 11 x 8 1/2 inches (27.9 x 21.5 cm)
Edition: 30
Literature: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (319)

Lemons and Oranges

Lemons and Oranges from Homemade Prints, 1986
Homemade print executed on an office color copy machine on laid paper
Sheet: 8 1/2 x 13 7/8 inches (21.9 x 35.3 cm)
Edition: 150
Literature: Not in MCAT

The Juggler

The Juggler from Home Made Prints, 1986
Home-made print in colors executed on an office copy machine on wove paper
Sheet: 14 x 8 1/2 inches (35.6 x 21.6 cm)
Edition: 31
Literature: not in Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo