BBC Radio Cambridgeshire interview
Listen to Sally Clark discussing David Hockney: Beneath the Surface on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
Dive beneath the surface of David Hockney's iconic swimming pools in MODO's immersive summer exhibition with memoriam media room.
MODO presents Beneath the Surface, a major summer exhibition celebrating the life and work of David Hockney through his iconic swimming pool images, while exploring the enduring questions of perception, perspective, and ways of seeing that defined his career.
Opening on 1 July and running throughout the summer in Cambridge, the exhibition places Hockney's iconic swimming pool works at the centre of a new immersive and interactive gallery experience.
Alongside works from The Arrival of Spring in Normandy, visitors will encounter a playful and contemporary environment inspired by one of the most recognisable themes within Hockney's practice. Through installation, atmosphere and unexpected moments of discovery, Beneath the Surface invites visitors to look again at works that have become part of our collective visual culture.
Please note tickets are released weekly. If you would like to book ahead, please call 01223 667697 or email now@modoart.co.uk
As part of the exhibition, MODO's Media Room will present In Memoriam, a short film reflecting on David Hockney's life, influence, and enduring contribution to the way we see the world. Presented alongside the exhibition, the film offers a moment to pause, reflect, and consider the questions that remained central to Hockney's work throughout his life: how we look, how we perceive, and how meaning is created through seeing.
"David Hockney spent a lifetime encouraging us to look more closely at the world around us. Beneath the Surface is an invitation to do exactly that. We hope visitors leave not only having enjoyed the work, but having discovered something new in the act of looking itself."
— Sally Clark, The Hockney Gallery Ltd, (MODO/Pentimento/Art & Culture Education C.I.C)
This will run alongside MODO's current exhibition, The Arrival of Spring in Normandy, an exhibition built around a Hockney's panoramic Normandy installation.
Visitors can expect a distinctive MODO experience that combines installation, participation, and atmosphere to create new ways of engaging with art. Designed to be immersive, and thought-provoking, the exhibition invites audiences of all ages to experience Hockney's pools in an entirely new format.
Developed by the team at MODO in collaboration with Art and Culture Education CIC (ACE CIC), the exhibition reflects a shared commitment to making art more accessible while championing creativity, visual thinking, and cultural participation.
Proceeds from these sessions will support ACE CIC's work challenging the marginalisation of art within education and promoting art as a vital form of human thinking, perception, and innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is David Hockney: Beneath the Surface?
David Hockney: Beneath the Surface is a major David Hockney exhibition in Cambridge, presented by MODO. It is first of its kind immersive art exhibition in Cambridge that explores Hockney’s iconic swimming pool imagery through installation, atmosphere, and interactive experiences, alongside a film presented in the Media Room. Get tickets
When does the exhibition open?
The exhibition opens on 1 July 2026 and runs throughout Summer 2026. This makes it one of the key things to do in Cambridge summer 2026, for visitors interested in art, culture, and immersive experiences.
Where is MODO Cambridge?
MODO is located in the heart of Cambridge and hosts the David Hockney exhibition Cambridge visitors can explore throughout the summer. Full address, travel directions, and visitor information are available here.
Is this a family-friendly exhibition?
Yes. This is a family-friendly exhibition in Cambridge designed for visitors of all ages. As a family-friendly exhibition Cambridge experience, it includes immersive environments, visual installations, and accessible interpretation that encourages curiosity and engagement. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Under 16s go free.
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend between 45 and 60 minutes exploring this immersive art exhibition in Cambridge, although guests are welcome to stay longer and revisit different elements at their own pace.
Is The Arrival of Spring in Normandy included?
Yes. The exhibition runs alongside The Arrival of Spring in Normandy, allowing visitors to experience multiple major works and A Year in normandie installation as part of the wider David Hockney exhibition Cambridge programme at MODO.
What is In Memoriam?
In Memoriam is a short film shown in MODO’s Media Room that reflects on David Hockney’s life and influence. It forms part of the immersive art exhibition Cambridge experience, encouraging visitors to think about perception, memory, and the act of seeing.
Can I take photographs?
Photography policies may vary throughout the exhibition. Please check on arrival for the latest guidance from gallery staff.
Does the exhibition support a charity?
Yes. Selected ticket proceeds support Art and Culture Education CIC (ACE CIC), helping promote creativity, visual thinking, and access to arts education as part of the wider cultural programme in Cambridge.
