NATIONAL TREASURE 

David Hockney dead: Legendary British artist and photographer dies aged 88

CELEBRATED British artist David Hockney has passed away at the age of 88, just a month shy of his 89th birthday, his publicist said.

The painter and photographer was one of the most influential British artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Hockney was voted the most influential British artist of the 20th CenturyCredit: Getty
 

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Hockney tragically passed away just a month short of his 89th birthdayCredit: Getty
A statement from his publicist said: “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 11 June 2026, one month short of his 89th birthday.”

His publicist Erica Bolton added: “David Hockney’s enduring legacy reflects his underlying enthusiasm for life, his outstanding sense of humour, his immense generosity, and his investigative curiosity encapsulated by his signature phrase, Love Life.

“Details of memorials will follow in due course.”

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to David Hockney as “one of Britain’s most celebrated artists”, Downing Street said.

His work received acclaim and was bought up by private collectorsCredit: © David Hockney Photo Credit: Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima
 

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Hockney’s most iconic painting is A Bigger SplashCredit: AFP
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister is saddened to hear of the death of David Hockney, one of Britain’s most celebrated artists.

“His vivid, instantly recognisable work influenced generations of artists, and the Prime Minister’s thoughts are with his friends and family.”

Voted the most influential British artist of the 20th Century, Hockney was born in Bradford in 1937.

He famously used an iPad to redesign The Sun’s famous “masthead” in 2017.

He was lauded for his use of different formats, embracing digital art and the use of iPads as much as traditional painting.

His talents as an artist were clear from a young age and he attended Bradford College of Art from 1953 to 1957.

He then went to the prestigious Royal College of Art in London where his work received acclaim and was bought up by private collectors.

Hockney’s love of cinema and Hollywood drew him to Los Angeles where he moved in 1966.

La La Land would be a defining influence in his work particularly the swimming pools featured in the homes scattered around the Hollywood Hills.

By the 1970s, Hockney developed a more realist style of painting while still continuing to paint homes in California.

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In 1970, he created his first joiner painting using a number of Polaroid imagesCredit: AFP
 

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The renowned artist redesigned The Sun’s famous masthead in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association
In 1970, he created his first joiner painting using a number of Polaroid images.

Hockney’s most iconic painting is A Bigger Splash which depicts a Californian swimming pool.

Created in 1967, the work sold for £2.6million in 2006 at an auction at Sotheby’s.

After moving back to the UK, Hockney and a hundred other artists signed an open letter to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport protesting cutbacks in the arts.

The renowned artist faced several health battles throughout his life, particularly in his later years.

He moved back to Yorkshire from Los Angeles in 2005, and in 2013 his 23-year-old assistant Dominic Elliott was found dead at his Bridlington home.

A coroner later ruled that Elliott had died as a result of misadventure.

In the wake of Elliott’s death, Hockney said he had considered giving up art altogether.

In the 1970s, the iconic artist began to experience hearing loss – he began using hearing aids in 1979.

He has also described having synaesthetic associations between sound, colour, and shape.

In his final years, Hockney managed ongoing respiratory difficulties.

He was cared for by a team of full-time nurses as his health declined, whom he famously honoured through a series of portraits in early 2026.

Hockney is survived by his long-time partner and companion Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima; his great-nephew Richard, who acted as studio assistant in his last years; his brothers Philip and John, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain, paid tribute to David Hockney, saying: “We are greatly saddened by the news of David Hockney’s death.

“Widely regarded as one of the most successful and recognisable artists of our time, he is an immensely important figure to Tate, with his work first entering our collection in 1963.”

cre: https://www.the-sun.com/news/16491527/david-hockney-british-artist-dies/