David Hockney, one of Britain's most celebrated and influential artists, has died at the age of 88, his representatives confirmed on Friday. The iconic painter passed away peacefully at his home on June 11, 2026, just one month shy of his 89th birthday.
King Charles led the tributes, releasing a deeply personal statement expressing sorrow at the loss of "a giant of the world of art and painting, a Yorkshireman through and through, and a dear friend and inspiration to so many." The King recalled Hockney's unconventional charm, noting the artist famously wore yellow Crocs to a formal Order of Merit lunch in 2022. "David was one of life's true originals; one who wore his genius as lightly as those beloved yellow Crocs of his that helped brighten Palace occasions," the King wrote.
Artist Dame Tracey Emin paid a poignant tribute, describing Hockney as "a great artist and a wonderful man, who with the power of art changed the perception of Britishness. A proud chain-smoking homosexual, who flew the flag higher than any other British artist." Hockney's representatives said his 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."
Over a prolific seven-decade career, Hockney became famous for his vibrant and innovative artworks that ranged from landscapes of his native Yorkshire to sun-drenched paintings of Los Angeles swimming pools, and later, iPad portraits of friends and family. His 2017 exhibition at Tate Britain became the most visited in the museum's history. In 2018, one of his iconic swimming pool paintings sold for nearly £70 million at auction — a record for a living artist at the time.
Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain, described Hockney as "an endlessly inventive artist, with a unique vision of the world" who was "always completely and courageously himself, both in his work and in life." The Tate confirmed it will proceed with two planned Hockney projects next year — a major exhibition spanning seven decades of his work at Tate Britain, and a multimedia installation in Tate Modern's Turbine Hall.
Apple CEO Tim Cook paid tribute to Hockney's digital artistry, noting he "showed that creativity has no limits, turning iPad into a canvas for some of the most vibrant art of our time." Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also expressed sadness, calling Hockney "one of Britain's most celebrated artists" whose "vivid, instantly recognisable work influenced generations of artists."
Hockney was also celebrated as a pioneering figure in queer British art. Dominic James Bilton, co-leader of the Queer British Art Network, said: "We've lost one of those people who were making changes in society before it was socially and culturally acceptable to be gay. He pioneered queer British art before it was fashionable to do so." Labour peer Lord Cashman recalled that when Stonewall was founded, Hockney donated an artwork worth $250,000 to fund its early years.
Born in Bradford on July 9, 1937, Hockney learned his craft painting on the streets of his hometown before studying at the Royal College of Art, where he graduated with a gold medal distinction. After moving to Los Angeles in 1964, he defined an era with his swimming pool series that captured California's golden light. In his final years, he lived in Normandy, using his iPad to paint the arrival of spring during the pandemic.
Hockney is survived by his long-time partner Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima and his family. His work, described by the Pompidou Centre in Paris as "dazzling, alive and eternal," will continue to inspire generations to come.
Sources: BBC News
