Stephanie Barron, a senior curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), recounts her decades-long friendship with David Hockney following his death on June 11 at age 88. She first met him in 1976 at the opening of his show "Works in the Eye" at Nick Wilder's gallery in Los Angeles, and over 50 years she visited his studios, co-organized his first retrospective at LACMA in 1988, and sat for a portrait for his series "82 Portraits and 1 Still-life." Barron reflects on Hockney's profound curiosity, his technical innovations in perspective and realism, and his deep connection to LACMA, which he considered one of "his" museums alongside the Tate.
Hockney's death marks the loss of one of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, whose vibrant depictions of Los Angeles—swimming pools, palm trees, and portraits—shaped the city's visual identity. His legacy endures through his prolific output across painting, printmaking, photography, and opera design, as well as his close ties to major institutions like LACMA and the Tate. The article underscores the personal and professional impact of Hockney's life, emphasizing his role in defining Southern California's artistic landscape and his enduring influence on generations of artists and curators.