Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and fellow artists offered tribute as England mourned the loss of David Hockney, the world’s pre‑eminent painter who died on 11 June 2026 at the age of 88.
“I am saddened to learn of the death of one of Britain’s most celebrated artists,” Mr Starmer said, recalling Hockney’s bold, instantly recognisable style and his influence on generations of artists. London Mayor Sadiq Khan further described the artist as a “true icon and revolutionary of British art” whose vivid paintings of changing seasons helped people appreciate the fragility of nature.
British art’s “giant” is recognised as the pioneer of queer art long before it becomes mainstream. “He pioneered queer British art before it was fashionable to do so,” said Dominic Bilton, co‑leader of the Queer British Art Network, and specifically praised Hockney as an inspirational giant of that scene.
Hockney’s best‑known work ranges from Yorkshire country scenes, the iconic “A Bigger Splash” pool series, to the co‑authored 1980s portrait of Ossie Clark, Celia Birtwell and their cat, Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy. He also explored new technology, creating iPad portraits of friends and family during the pandemic—inviting viewers into the changing seasons of Normandy.
His long‑lasting legacy was celebrated in the world‑record‑breaking 2017 Tate Britain exhibition, which remains the most‑visited in the gallery’s history. The Tate has planned two new projects for 2027: a seven‑decade retrospective of his work, and a multimedia installation in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall celebrating his celebrated opera set designs.
Artistic achievements were not the only aspects of his life commemorated. Hockney was a proud gay man whose donation of a $250,000 painting helped fund early‑years of Stonewall, the gay rights charity. He was also known for his genial humour, generosity and love for life, quoted as “Love Life” in his own writings.
On moving to Los Angeles in 1964, Hockney’s celebrated “swimming pools” series captured Californian sun. He later used the iPad during the 2020 pandemic to paint the blooming of the Normandy spring.
He was survived by his long‑time partner Jean‑Pierre Gonçalves de Lima, his studio assistant, brothers, nephews and great‑nieces. The British art community and beyond will remember him as an “incredible visionary” who dared to paint “serious work” in an effortless way.
For a visual reminder of his impact, the image below captures Hockney side‑by‑side with one of his beloved dachshunds, a familiar face in the artist’s life.
