David Hockney Has Died — One of Britain's Leading 20th Century Artists. David Hockney has passed away at the age of 88 at his home. His works became symbols of pop art, and one of them set an auction record. The artist left a significant mark on the history of contemporary art.
David Hockney, the recognized leader of British pop art and one of the most influential artists of our time, has died at the age of 88. His death was reported by a family representative. The artist passed away at home on June 11, a month before his 89th birthday. His name became a symbol of an era, and his works have set records at auction.
In 2018, one of Hockney's most famous paintings, depicting a swimming pool, was sold for nearly £70 million. This amount set a record for a work by a living artist and cemented his status as a key figure in the global art world. Hockney himself often said he always followed a simple principle: “Paint what you love”—and was surprised by the public's immense interest in his work, as noted by the BBC.
The future artist was born on July 9, 1937, into a family with strong convictions: his father Kenneth was a staunch opponent of social injustice and nuclear weapons, while his mother Laura was known for her strong character and religious faith. During World War II, the family endured bombings, hiding under the stairs, and David made his first drawings on the kitchen floor and in church books due to a shortage of paper.
Hockney received his education at the Royal College of Art in London, where he quickly became a prominent figure. However, even as the top student in his class, he refused to write the required final essay and did not take his graduation exams. After much controversy in the art community, the college still awarded him a diploma and a gold medal. During this period, he was influenced by the American artist R.B. Kitaj, who advised him to ignore others’ opinions and work only on what truly interested him.
Hockney's work reflected not only artistic exploration but also personal themes: politics, literature, and the frank examination of his own homosexuality. One of his pieces depicts an intimate moment with the American poet Walt Whitman. Later, the artist lived and worked in both London and Los Angeles, which had a noticeable impact on his style and subjects.
For his contribution to art, Hockney received several of Britain's highest honors: in 1997 he was made a Companion of Honour, and in 2012, a member of the Order of Merit. In recent years, he was accompanied by his partner Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima, as well as by relatives, including his brothers Philip and John, nephews, and great-grandchildren. His great-grandson Richard played a particularly important role in recent years, assisting the artist in the studio.
According to the BBC, Hockney remained active and continued to pursue new subjects and techniques throughout his life. His passing is marked as a significant loss for global culture. For reference: Pop art as a movement originated in the United Kingdom in the 1950s–1960s and influenced mass culture, design, and advertising. Hockney's works are housed in major museums around the world, and his exhibitions consistently attract public interest.
