THE art world is in mourning today over the death of David Hockney. He was one month short of his 89th birthday. In a career that spanned seven decades Hockney was always innovative, forward looking, open to new ideas and new ways of seeing. His vivid work, which he continued right to the end, influenced a whole generation of artists. He has been the subject of fascinating retrospectives in major world museums. In Britain the Tate said they would continue to work with Hockney’s team to stage two planned projects next year.
The Hockney exhibition at Tate in 2017 was the most visited exhibition in the museums history.
Announcing his death today Hockney’s representatives said: “The celebrated British artist David Hockney, one of the most important figures in contemporary art in both the 20th and 21st centuries, passed away peacefully at home on 11 June 2026, one month short of his 89th birthday.”
The statement added that his “enduring legacy reflects his underlying enthusiasm for life, his outstanding sense of humour, his immense generosity, and his investigative curiosity encapsulated by his signature phrase: Love Life”.