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candle obituary calendar_today Friday, June 12, 2026

David Hockney, Who Restored the Human Form to Art, Dies at 88

David Hockney, the British artist renowned for his vibrant figurative paintings and pioneering work in photography, has died at the age of 88. His career spanned more than six decades, during which he became one of the most recognizable and influential figures in contemporary art, known for works such as *A Bigger Splash* and his series of swimming pool scenes that captured the hedonism of 1960s California.

Hockney's death marks the end of an era for modern art. He was a key figure who defied the dominance of abstract expressionism and conceptual art, restoring the human form and everyday life as central subjects. His bold use of color and perspective, along with his experiments in photomontage and digital drawing, expanded the boundaries of visual representation and inspired generations of artists.