The Tate galleries have expressed profound sorrow following the death of David Hockney, a pivotal figure in modern art, who passed away at the age of 88.
”We are deeply saddened by this news,” stated Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain, who described Hockney as an “immensely significant figure” in the art world. He noted that Hockney is “widely recognized as one of the most successful and iconic artists of our time.”
Hockney, celebrated for masterpieces such as A Bigger Splash and My Parents, died peacefully at his home, just a month shy of his 89th birthday.
Over a remarkable career spanning seven decades, Hockney utilized various artistic mediums including painting, printmaking, photography, and more recently, digital art to portray his native Yorkshire and his adopted California.
”David was an endlessly inventive artist with a unique perspective on life,” Farquharson remarked. “He was always authentically himself, both in his creations and in his personal life.
He taught us the joy of observation, revealing details that many overlooked, his sharp wit and keen insights were ever-present in his work and interactions.”
”The art community has suffered a tremendous loss: David’s passing marks the end of an extraordinary oeuvre defined by continual reinvention,” he added.
”He inspired countless individuals with his remarkable talent, passion for art and life, and his unconventional insights. His influence transcends the realm of art.”
The Pompidou Centre in Paris, which collaborated with Hockney on two significant exhibitions, hailed him as “undoubtedly one of the major figures of contemporary art.”
They noted that his works remain “dazzling, vibrant, and timeless.”
Art historian Richard Morris shared his thoughts on social media, “His monumental achievement was to make serious painting appear effortless. He conducted one of the most sustained explorations into vision, space, and representation by any post-war artist. British art has lost a titan.”
A statement from Hockney’s representatives confirmed that he “passed away peacefully at home on June 11, 2026.” It emphasized his “lasting legacy” marked by a zest for life, a keen sense of humor, immense generosity, and an inquisitive spirit encapsulated by his motto, “Love Life.”
The Tate announced plans to continue collaborating with Hockney’s team on two upcoming projects next year.
One will be a major retrospective exhibition at Tate Britain showcasing seven decades of his artistry, while the other will be a multimedia installation in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall featuring his renowned opera set designs.
The statement also highlighted that Tate Britain’s Hockney exhibition in 2017 remains the most visited in the institution’s history.
Born in Bradford, Hockney developed his artistic skills by pushing a pram filled with art supplies around the city as he painted outdoors.
After studying at Bradford School of Art, he graduated with distinction from the Royal College of Art.
Relocating to Los Angeles in 1964, he became known for his distinctive swimming pool paintings.
His notable works include the portrait Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, depicting fashion designer Ossie Clark and textile designer Celia Birtwell in 1971.
He also created stage designs for theatrical productions and supported a nationwide drawing initiative for Bradford’s role as UK City of Culture 2025.
Last year, he spoke with BBC culture editor Katie Razzall about his most significant exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris.
When the planning began two years prior, he expressed uncertainty about being able to witness it, stating, “I just thought I probably wouldn’t be here. I’m still a smoker, a joyful smoker tired of authoritative people telling me what to do.”
The exhibition included a section dedicated to his appreciation for spring, inspired by the time he spent in Normandy during the pandemic in 2020. He utilized his iPad to capture the blooming trees and flowers as spring unfolded.
He is survived by his long-time partner Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima, his great-nephew Richard, who served as his studio assistant in recent years, his brothers Philip and John, along with his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong