David Hockney
World renowned British artist David Hockney has died. He was aged 88.
Hockney was the country’s greatest contemporary artist.
He died peacefully at his home.
A statement 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.
“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.”
In his last major interview – given in October – Hockney said:
“I don’t know how long I’m going to live.
But I assume I’ll die soon, rather than later, and so I want to work every day.”
“I prefer just to paint. I’m happiest when I’m painting.”
In 2018, one of his swimming pool paintings sold for nearly £70 million at auction – a record for a living artist.
However, Hockney was surprised at the public enthusiasm for his work.
He had simply followed one rule: “Paint the things you love”
