- Artwork Details: 45 x 45cm
- Edition: 28/50
- Material description: etching and aquatint in three colours with collage
- Credit line: © David Hockney
- Theme: Scene With Figures
- Medium: Print
- Accession number: ACC1/1961
MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN
1962
Hockney, David
'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean' was made on the occasion of Hockney's first visit to New York. The print uses the traditional 'fine art' processes of etching and aquatint, but - like many Pop prints - includes material collaged into it; in this case the head of George Washington, from a United States postage stamp.
The title comes from a popular folk song. Hockney’s 'bonnie' across the sea was Peter Crutch, a design student at the Royal College. Hockney had a crush on him - he and Crutch are indicated by the letters 'DH' and 'P'. The Hockney figure flies an American flag, celebrating the more liberal sexual culture he encountered there.