David HOCKNEY (1937–2026, Bradford, England) continually reinvented the language of contemporary painting through his fearless experimentation with colour, perspective and new technologies. From the swimming pools of Los Angeles to digital drawings created on the iPad, Hockney's work reflected an enduring curiosity and an exceptional ability to transform everyday subjects into iconic works of art.
After studying at the Bradford School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London, Hockney emerged in the early 1960s as a distinctive voice within British Pop Art. He soon gained international recognition, particularly after relocating to Los Angeles, where his luminous paintings of swimming pools, modern architecture and domestic life became some of the defining images of his career.
Throughout more than six decades of artistic activity, Hockney worked across painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, stage design and digital media. Constantly questioning how we see and represent space, he explored multiple viewpoints, photographic collage, panoramic landscapes and, later in life, iPhone and iPad drawings. His willingness to embrace new tools while remaining deeply committed to drawing and painting kept his work remarkably fresh across generations.
David Hockney died at his home in London on 11 June 2026, aged 88. By the time of his death, he had become a defining presence in post-war and contemporary art, with works held in major museum collections around the world and an influence extending far beyond painting itself. His combination of technical mastery, visual optimism and relentless experimentation secured his enduring place in the history of modern and contemporary art.