Britain mourns the death of art giant David Hockney

Fri Jun 12 2026 17:52:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The UK lost one of its most celebrated painters as political leaders, artists and the public pay tribute to David Hockney, whose pioneering work reshaped modern art.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and prominent artists, including Tracey Emin and Alex Farquharson of Tate Britain, expressed their grief over the passing of David Hockney, aged 88. Hockney’s vibrant canvases, from Yorkshire landscapes to Los Angeles swimming pools and iPad portraits, broke new ground for colour and perception. The artist’s legacy will be celebrated in forthcoming Tate Britain exhibitions and a multimedia installation at Tate Modern, while tributes emphasise his role as a queer pioneer and a cultural icon. His works continue to influence artists worldwide and shape public perception of the visual arts.

Britain mourns the death of art giant David Hockney

David Hockney, the iconic British painter whose colourful canvases have graced galleries worldwide, died on 11 June at his home, aged 88. His death was met with a chorus of tributes from politicians, fellow artists and the public, all recognising his lasting contribution to modern art.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “saddened” to learn of the loss of “one of Britain’s most celebrated artists”. A Downing Street spokesman added that Hockney’s work had “influenced generations of artists” and that the Prime Minister’s thoughts are with his friends and family.

Artist Dame Tracey Emin praised Hockney as a “genuine giant” and a “queer champion” who “changed the perception of Britishness” “with the power of art.” She highlighted his bold use of colour and his willingness to push boundaries in subject and technique.

Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain, hailed Hockney as an “immensely important figure” whose work will continue to inspire beyond the art world. He noted that Hockney “was always completely and courageously himself, both in his work and in life”.

The artist’s legacy was described by the Pompidou Centre in Paris, which staged two landmark exhibitions, as “unquestionably one of the major figures of contemporary art”. The centre emphasised that his paintings remain “dazzling, alive and eternal”.

Hockney’s career spanned seven decades, during which he produced memorable landscapes of Yorkshire, sunlit Californian swimming pools and his early iPad portraits. He also painted the celebrated portrait of Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy in 1971.

The Tate will continue to honour his work with a major exhibition at Tate Britain covering his seven decades of art and a multimedia installation in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall that will bring his acclaimed opera set designs to life.

In the wake of his passing, dignitaries such as West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Queer British Art Network leader Dominic Bilton paid homage, recognising Hockney’s groundbreaking role in both art and queer culture. Bilton called him “the pioneer of queer British art”, while Khan highlighted how Hockney’s landscapes “helped me see the beauty and fragility of our natural world – and why it must be protected”.

The artist’s representative announced that Hockney died peacefully at home, “one month short of his 89th birthday”. His enduring legacy, described by his team as a reflection of his enthusiasm for life, humour and generosity, will continue to inspire future generations.

— Article by Helen Bushby, Culture Reporter, BBC News