King Charles pays tribute to artistic giant David Hockney
David Hockney, a towering figure in contemporary British art, died on 11 June 2026 at the age of 88. King Charles issued a heartfelt statement, describing Hockney as a dear friend and a "giant of the art world", expressing profound grief for a figure whose colourful and innovative work had reshaped modern painting.
The monarch’s tribute echoed the sentiment of leading cultural figures: Dame Tracey Emin praised Hockney's brave use of colour and his impact on Britishness, while the mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, called him one of Yorkshire’s finest artists. London Mayor Sadiq Khan highlighted his contribution to environmental awareness through the beauty of seasons in his paintings. Labour peer Lord Cashman added that Hockney had spoken truth to the world and had supported queer rights charities.
Hockney’s career spanned painting, portraiture and digital art. His early landscapes of Yorkshire, bold coloured Californian swimming pools and the groundbreaking "A Bigger Splash" series pushed the boundaries of perspective. He famously adopted an iPad for his later work, using it to capture the vibrancy of spring in Normandy. His 2017 exhibition at Tate Britain – the most visited in the gallery’s history – celebrated seven decades of his art. Plans are underway for a comprehensive Tate Britain showcase and a multimedia installation in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall.
Artists and critics have hailed Hockney as an inventor of new techniques and a champion of queer representation. The Queer British Art Network’s co‑leader Dominic James Bilton remarked that Hockney pioneered queer British art before it was socially acceptable, whilst Frances Christie, an antiques expert, noted the wide appeal of his painting of everyday subjects and masterful use of colour.
Hockney’s legacy extends beyond expression; he also embraced emerging technologies and challenged conventional representation of space. His final exhibitions celebrate his boundless curiosity, inventive vision and the inexorable effect of his life on the trajectory of British art. The artist’s family – partner Jean‑Pierre Gonçalves de Lima, nephew Richard and siblings Philip and John – will remember him as a visionary who reshaped the way art is seen and felt.
