The art world mourns the loss of British painter David Hockney, who died peacefully at his home at age 88. A leader of the British Pop Art movement since the 1960s, Hockney was known for his vivid paintings, iPad drawings, and iconic personal style. Curators and artists who worked closely with him, including Chris Stephens, Stephanie Barron, Stuart Comer, Sam McKinnis, and Kojo Marfo, shared tributes highlighting his constant reinvention, joyful curiosity, and profound impact on contemporary art. At his death, Hockney held the auction record for the highest-valued living artist.
Hockney's death marks the end of an era for contemporary art, as he was one of the most influential and commercially successful artists of the last century. His legacy spans physical and digital media, redefining portraiture, landscape, and the depiction of lived experience. The outpouring of tributes from major institutions like Tate Britain, LACMA, and MoMA underscores his enduring relevance and the deep personal connections he forged across generations of artists and curators.