David Hockney, one of the most celebrated and influential British artists of modern times, extensively painted the landscapes of East Yorkshire
David Hockney, who has died aged 88(Image: PA)
Tributes have been paid to revered Yorkshire artist David Hockney who has died at the age of 88. He died peacefully at his home on June 11, his publicist Erica Bolton said.
A statement released to the Press Association read: “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.”
It continued: “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.”
Originally from Bradford, Mr Hockney had a studio in Bridlington for a time from the mid-2000s. Paying tribute, Bridlington and The Wolds MP Charlie Dewhirst said on social media: “Very sad to read that Yorkshire-born artist and former Bridlington resident David Hockney has passed away.
“His brilliant art made him one of Britain’s most influential artists – at one point, he held the record for the most expensive artwork by a living artist sold at auction, £70 million for his 1972 Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures).
“In the early 2000s, having already made a huge impact, he chose to move back from Los Angeles to Bridlington, nearer to his local family, where he painted The Wolds and East Yorkshire’s beautiful landscapes extensively. His exhibition took the East Riding of Yorkshire landscape all the way to the Guggenheim Museum. I can only say he had a good eye and good taste!
“With such a contribution, he was rightly recognised with the Order of Merit in 2012 – the personal gift of the late Queen, and one of only 24 living individuals at any given time. My thoughts are with his friends and family. Rest in peace.”
The artist’s Bigger Trees Near Warter was exhibited at Hull’s Ferens Art Gallery in 2011 which saw a record number of visitors.
Mr Hockney’s distinguished career stretched across seven decades, with his most iconic works including The Splash, A Bigger Splash, Portrait Of An Artist (Pool With Two Figures), My Parents and Mr And Mrs Clark And Percy. He was widely admired for his willingness to explore different mediums, embracing digital art and iPads just as readily as conventional painting techniques.
Speaking to the Press Association in 2018, he said: “I always say in the studio I don’t feel old, I just feel 30. I do still feel 30 in my studio, that is why I stay there most of the time. When I was young of course you think you’re immortal, that is why the young smoke, they think they’re immortal. They always will.”
He leaves behind his long-standing partner and companion Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima; his great-nephew Richard, who served as studio assistant during his final years; his brothers Philip and John; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, Ms Bolton said.
Mr Hockney explored printmaking, set design and photography, adapting to new technologies including photocopiers and fax machines, computers, iPhones and iPads for drawing, as well as stained glass. He studied at Bradford School of Art during the 1950s before attending the Royal College of Art in London, where he graduated with gold medal distinction in 1962 and subsequently became recognised as one of the leading figures in the new wave of British artists.
Yet he nearly had his RCA diploma withheld after refusing to complete an essay, a rebellious stance as he believed his work should be assessed purely on artistic merit. He deliberately spoiled his examination paper with a sketch of a diploma as a form of protest. After the ruling was overturned, Hockney received a gold medal which he reportedly collected while dressed in a gold lamé jacket and clutching a gold-coloured shopping bag.
Some of his most celebrated works emerged following his relocation to Los Angeles, where he began chronicling the sun-soaked southern California way of life.
In his 70s, he moved to East Yorkshire, producing a breathtaking series of landscapes depicting the changing seasons. The iPhone and iPad became integral to Hockney’s artistic practice, culminating in the expansive series The Arrival Of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire, in 2011.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute to Mr Hockney. A No 10 spokesperson 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.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called him “a true titan of British art”. She added: “Born and educated in Bradford, his paintings have inspired people across the world ever since his first exhibition in 1963. His boundless creativity and restless spirit leave behind a powerful legacy.”
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