David Hockney, a British artist widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in contemporary art, has died at the age of 88. His publicist, Erica Bolton, announced that Hockney passed away peacefully at home on June 11, 2026, just one month shy of his 89th birthday.
A Life Dedicated to Art
Hockney was a leading figure in the Pop art movement of the 1960s and gained international acclaim as a painter and master draughtsman. He continued to paint, experiment, and hold exhibitions until his final days. He is perhaps best known for his iconic paintings of swimming pools that defined the Los Angeles aesthetic, such as A Bigger Splash and Portrait of an Artist (Pool With Two Figures), which captured scenes of love, lust, and loss beneath the L.A. skyline.
Bolton noted that Hockney's seven-decade career was characterized by a multi-media approach, an intellectual inquiry into depiction and perspective, and a commitment to celebrating the world around him.
Early Life and Influences
Born on July 9, 1937, in West Yorkshire, England, Hockney's early art was shaped by his experiences during the Second World War. He and his four siblings would hide under the stairs during bomb raids, and despite paper shortages, he drew on kitchen floors and hymn books. He trained at the Bradford School of Art and later at London's Royal College, where he graduated with a Gold Medal distinction.
After serving as a hospital orderly in the military, Hockney defied post-war conventions by exploring his sexuality and interests in politics and literature. He realized he was gay and resolved to become an artist.
Move to Los Angeles and Artistic Maturity
In 1964, Hockney moved to Los Angeles, where his art matured and became more restrained, earning praise for its emotional depth. His painting Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) sold for US$90.3 million at auction in 2018. Beyond painting, he experimented with photography, stage design, printmaking, and drawing. He embraced technology, using Apple iPads since their 2010 release and collaborating with developers on custom apps.
Final Exhibitions and Honors
Hockney was still exhibiting up to his death. The Serpentine Gallery in London currently features new paintings by the artist, and exhibitions were planned at Tate in London and the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway. He received the Order of the Companions of Honour in 1997 and France's Legion d'Honneur in 2026, one of few non-French citizens to receive that honor.
Hockney is survived by his long-time partner, Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima, two brothers, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
