Article updated June 24th, 2026 (update includes: Pearblossom Highway directions & analysis of the artwork)
In 1986, David Hockney created the photographic collage Pearblossom Highway, 11-18th April 1986, #2. It is a distinctive representation of his adventurous road trip through the beautiful landscapes of California. Specifically along a picturesque stretch of highway known as CA-138. Pearblossom Highway directions can be found at the end of this article.
Video of David Hockney’s Pearblossom Highway
A video from my Adoration of Art series. The video features Pearblossom Highway, 11-18th April 1986, #2, on exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Learn more about the Adoration of Art by Alex Westerman.
Join me in this contemplative odyssey, a journey that invites you to look deeper into the essence of travel and discovery. Allow the rich imagery and profound symbolism to guide you through the timeless, resonant echoes of an American Highway. This experience is beautifully captured in David Hockney’s visionary masterpiece. His work redefines our perspective on the vastness and solitude of the open road.
Table of Contents
About David Hockney’s Pearblossom Highway
The art piece beautifully captures the ever-changing vistas along the road. It offers a dynamic visual experience that engages viewers on multiple levels. Additionally, it presents a dual portrayal from both the driver’s and the passenger’s vantage points as they traverse the Antelope Valley on the outskirts of Los Angeles. This region is steeped in cultural significance and natural beauty.
David Hockney’s deep fascination with this particular journey led him to meticulously create a thought-provoking interpretation utilizing over 800 mounted photographs. Each one was carefully selected to reflect the nuances of light and color that characterize this unique landscape. Through his art, the previously desolate Mojave Desert is unveiled in a stunning display of transformation and beauty. It reveals hidden layers of life that often go unnoticed.
The blending of images serves not only to document this journey. It also invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences and relationships with the spaces they traverse. This reflection ultimately creates a profound connection between the observer and the observed.
About the video featuring Pearblossom Highway
Step into a landscape where time intertwines with memory, and every photograph whispers the tales of a thousand journeys. In this evocative exploration of Pearblossom Highway by David Hockney, we unravel the complex tapestry of an American highway. A seemingly mundane route transformed into an extraordinary vista through over 800 photographs.
Immerse yourself in the dual narratives of this remarkable art collage. The mundane Mojave Desert unfurls its hidden wonders under the watchful eye of Hockney’s lens. From the driver’s seat to the passenger’s window, each frame captures the shifting sands and fleeting moments. These moments beckon travelers beyond the Antelope Valley.
Pearblossom Highway Collage
Discover how Hockney’s fascination with Pearblossom Highway elevates collage photography into a metaphoric pilgrimage, capturing the essence of a journey that extends far beyond mere distance. This innovative approach allows viewers to engage with the imagery on a deeper level. It invites them to explore the layers of meaning hidden within each piece.
By intertwining elements of personal experience with broader themes, Hockney emphasizes the intricate tapestry of human existence. He illustrates how art can serve as a vehicle for reflection and understanding. This symbolizes the endless road of human experience and the art of seeing beyond the surface. As a result, it encourages us to embark on our own explorations of the world, transcending the ordinary and seeking connections that resonate on a profound level.
The Intersection
Pearblossom Highway” depicts an intersection in an expansive open area, a sensation unique to the western part of the United States. . . . [The] artwork is not merely about an intersection, but also about our experiences while driving. After three days of driving and being a passenger, I noticed that the driver and the passenger perceive the road differently. When you’re behind the wheel, you pay attention to all the road signs. But as a passenger, you have the freedom to gaze wherever you wish. The artwork reflects this idea: on the right side of the road, it’s as though you are the driver, interpreting traffic signals to guide your actions, while on the left side, it’s as if you’re a passenger, traveling more slowly and observing everything around you. Therefore, the piece conveys the concept of driving without actually featuring the car.
This is how David Hockney recounted the inspiration behind this photocollage of the picturesque Pearblossom Highway located north of Los Angeles. His intricate collage captures the more ordinary aspects of a road trip. The scattered cans and bottles, along with the winding line where asphalt meets sand, illustrate the disruption of the desert scenery by the roads that traverse it and the impact of careless travelers.
Reframing Signs
The right side of the road, the driver’s side, has several road signs and the significant word stop ahead painted on the pavement. This indicates the driver’s need to stay alert, providing insight into the driving experience. Meanwhile, on the left is the passenger’s perspective.
Photography is alright if you don’t mind looking at the world from the point of view of a paralyzed Cyclops – for a split second
David Hockney
The Joshua trees scattered across the sandy desert landscape present a much more relaxing and sculptural view that the passenger can enjoy while gazing out the vehicle’s side window. Their unique silhouettes provide a profound calming effect. They offer a visual respite from the shimmering heat of the open road. In the immediate forefront of Pearblossom Highway, 11-18th April 1986, #2, onlookers can clearly make out an assortment of scattered debris. This refuse includes weathered, crushed soda cans, discarded beer bottles, an abandoned container of Castrol motor oil, and a flattened, empty case of Bud Light. All of these items serve as modern relics of the various travelers who once passed through this arid stretch. They leave behind a tangible, albeit messy, mark of their presence in the wilderness.
Gallery of photos from the painting’s location
David Hockney’s Pearblossom Highway Directions to the Location
The location where David Hockney took over 800 photographs and compiled them in this masterwork is just east of Pearblossom in the Antelope Valley. The site is on 165th Street, looking south toward the intersection with California 138 (Pearblossom Highway).
The intersection looks essentially the same, albeit a bit less lonely than it did in 1986. This is because the surrounding area has seen gradual development and increased activity over the years. New businesses and residences have sprung up nearby, making the once-quiet junction a bustling point of interest. The most obvious change was the absence of the landmark “Stop” and “Stop Ahead” signs. These were replaced with a traffic light when CA 138 was widened to a four-lane road. This allowed for smoother traffic flow and enhanced safety for motorists and pedestrians alike. While the familiar landscape still holds onto its nostalgic charm, the upgrades and improvements contribute to a more vibrant and connected community. They reflect the changing times and needs of the residents.
About the Artwork
Pearblossom Highway, 11-18th April 1986, #2 by artist David Hockney is located at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
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