2006 is the Thirtieth Anniversary Year of Rex Irwin Art Dealer, so I wanted to celebrate this event with a series of special exhibitions, not just a birthday party.

When I heard that Opera Australia was to mount the Glyndebourne production of Stravinsky’s ‘The Rake’s Progress’, designed by David Hockney, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to exhibit the sixteen etchings of Hockney’s ‘A Rake’s Progress’ 1961-63, to celebrate our friendship and this gallery’s support of the opera over the years.

I have known John Cox, who will direct the opera, for a number of years and I am delighted he has accepted my invitation to speak at the Private View of the exhibition on Wednesday March 1st at 6 PM.

David Hockney has very kindly agreed to lend his own copy of ‘ A Rake’s Progress ‘ for this exhibition.

RI 2006