David Hockney, one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary artists, has died at age 88. His representatives confirmed he passed away peacefully at home on June 11, 2026, just one month shy of his 89th birthday.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed sadness at the loss, calling Hockney a national treasure whose vivid work influenced generations. Artist Dame Tracey Emin honored him as a "wonderful man" who changed the perception of Britishness and proudly flew the flag for queer identity before it was socially acceptable.
Over a seven-decade career, Hockney reinvented modern art through vibrant landscapes of his native Yorkshire, iconic sun-drenched paintings of Los Angeles swimming pools, and innovative iPad portraits. Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain, described him as an endlessly inventive figure who taught the world the joy of looking.
Hockney’s influence extended globally, with the Pompidou Centre in Paris hailing him as a major figure of contemporary art. In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan praised his revolutionary spirit, while Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, remembered the Bradford-born artist as a giant who changed the trajectory of modern art.
The Tate announced that two planned projects will proceed: a major retrospective at Tate Britain spanning seven decades, and a multimedia installation in the Turbine Hall featuring his opera set designs. Hockney is survived by his partner Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima and family. His legacy remains defined by his signature phrase: "Love Life."
