David Hockney, a Bradford-born national treasure, Octogenarian and Britain’s greatest contemporary artist has passed away at the age of 88.
Hockney’s iconic California swimming pool painting ‘A Bigger Splash’ (1967) made history when it was sold for almost £70 million at auction in 2019, a record for a living artist.
He never stopped creating and exhibiting, always drawing large crowds to his sell out exhibitions, perhaps because of the joyful joie de vivre expressed in his vivid landscapes and portraits. Recent exhibitions include “DO REMEMBER THEY CAN’T CANCEL THE SPRING” at Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris in 2025, his final solo exhibition at long-term gallery Annely Juda Fine Art in London, and “A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts about Painting” at Serpentine until 23 August 2026.
Hockney was a national treasure and a proud Northerner who loved his home town of Bradford as much as his adopted home of Normandy, and his some time home of California. He was an unapologetic smoker, an LGBTQI ally, and a dapper dress known for his sartorial elegance, usually resplendent in a tweed suit, flat cap and bright yellow crocs. A Royal College of Arts alumni and originator of Pop Art, he was sometimes known as the British Picasso.
I have always believed that art should be a deep pleasure…There is always, everywhere, an enormous amount of suffering, but I believe that my duty as an artist is to overcome and alleviate the sterility of despair… New ways of seeing mean new ways of feeling… I do believe that painting can change the world.”
David Hockney
Recognised as one of the most influential and defining figures in contemporary art, Hockney’s remarkable seven-decade career was characterised by an enduring intellectual inquiry into the nature of depiction and a sustained commitment to celebrating the world around him. Across painting, drawing, photography, opera and theatre design, and later through his pioneering embrace of digital media, he continually challenged conventions while remaining deeply engaged with the great traditions of art history. His work was distinguished not only by its extraordinary innovation, but by its capacity to inspire us to look more closely and more joyfully at the everyday world.”
“I’m devastated. I met him in 1983. We were neighbours in Malibu, California and became friends. He helped me choose colours for my house at home depot and even helped me paint it! He was always pushing boundaries creatively and intellectually. We would go on walks together in Malibu and discuss his ideas for projects such as ‘Turandot’.
He was always encouraging me to learn more and gave me books on Sartre. I feel honoured that his most recent portrait of me was exhibited in his last exhibition at Annely Juda Fine Art. I will miss him deeply.”
Joe Simon, Filmmaker and friend of David Hockney
A statement from Hockney’s publicists Bolton & Quinn says: “His seven-decade career and prolific oeuvre was characterized by his multi-media approach in image making, an intellectual inquiry into the nature of depiction and perspective, and a sustained commitment to celebrating and portraying the world around him.”
Hockney’s long-time gallery Annely Juda Fine Art released a statement saying “It is with profound sadness that we share the news that David Hockney passed away peacefully at home yesterday on 11th June 2026.
During a six-decade career, Hockney bought joy to millions of people around the world, with his bold landscapes and portraits, his vivid sense of colour and his love for life. He leaves an immortal legacy and an indelible imprint on the world and history of art.
Rest in Peace David Hockney.
Words by Culturalee Editor Lee Sharrock
