Renowned British artist David Hockney, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in contemporary art, has died at the age of 88.
According to British media reports, Hockney passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, June 11, just one month before his 89th birthday.
His publicist confirmed the news in a statement, describing Hockney as one of the defining artistic voices of the 20th and 21st centuries.
“The celebrated British artist David Hockney, one of the most important figures in contemporary art in both the 20th and 21st centuries, passed away peacefully at home on June 11, 2026, one month short of his 89th birthday,” the statement said.
Born in 1937 in the northern English city of Bradford, Hockney built a remarkable career spanning more than seven decades, producing some of the world’s most recognizable modern artworks.
Among his most celebrated works are The Splash and My Parents, both of which are housed at Tate Britain in London.
Hockney developed a passion for art at an early age, deciding when he was just 11 years old that he wanted to become an artist. Some of his earliest sketches appeared in publications produced by his school, before he later enrolled at the prestigious Royal College of Art in London.
Throughout his career, Hockney became known for his bold use of colour, innovative artistic techniques and his ability to continually reinvent his style. His work explored landscapes, portraiture, photography and digital art, earning him international acclaim and a place among the most influential artists of his generation.
Despite his global success, Hockney remained closely connected to his Yorkshire roots. In a 2025 interview, he reflected on how people often mocked his northern English accent during his early years in the art world.
“Well, I’d look at their drawings and I’d think, ‘If I drew like that, I’d keep my mouth shut,’” he joked.
The artist also spoke about his relentless dedication to his craft, revealing that he continued working daily well into his late 80s.
“I work every day,” he said. “There’s one painting on the easel waiting to be finished of my great-nephew, Richard. I’ll finish it when I get back and then paint somebody else. I’ll just carry on.”
Hockney’s influence extended far beyond Britain, with his works commanding record-breaking prices at international auctions. In 2018, one of his paintings set a then-record for the highest auction sale achieved by a living artist, further cementing his status as a giant of contemporary art.
Art historian Ben Street paid tribute to Hockney’s extraordinary work ethic, comparing him to one of his artistic heroes, Pablo Picasso.
“One of his great heroes was Picasso, and what Hockney always loved about Picasso was that he basically never took a break,” Street said. “The same thing could be said for Hockney himself.”
Tributes have also poured in from across the cultural world. British broadcaster and journalist Piers Morgan described Hockney as “one of Britain’s greatest ever artists.”
“RIP David Hockney, 88. One of Britain’s greatest ever artists, a Yorkshireman to his bootstraps and a wonderful character,” Morgan wrote. “Loved his quote: ‘Laugh a lot, it clears the lungs.’”
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