British artist David Hockney dies at 88

David Hockney, one of the most influential artists of the contemporary era, has died at the age of 88. His publicist confirmed his passing on Friday, stating he died peacefully at his London home on Thursday, just a month before his 89th birthday.

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I think I’ve something to say to people, that’s why.

Hockey's seven-decade career was characterized by a prolific and multi-media approach to art-making. His work consistently celebrated and portrayed the world around him, capturing everything from the vibrant scenes of 1960s California to the serene landscapes of his native Yorkshire. He famously stated, "I think I've something to say to people, that's why."

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one of the most important figures in contemporary art in both the 20th and 21st centuries

Globally acclaimed, Hockney received numerous honors, including Companion of Honour in Britain and France's Legion d'honneur. King Charles III remembered him as "a giant of the world of art," whose "irrepressible charm, talent and constant innovation will be most sorely missed." The Pompidou Centre in Paris, which hosted landmark exhibitions of his work, noted his creativity and constant renewal of ideas until the end of his life.

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His seven-decade career and prolific oeuvre was characterised by his multi-media approach in image making as well as a sustained commitment to celebrating and portraying the world around him

Born in Bradford, England, in 1937, Hockney defied post-war British conventions. He trained at the Bradford School of Art and London's Royal College, quickly establishing himself with a bold stylistic range and recognized mastery of drawing. The Royal College of Art described him as "a defining voice in art across his lifetime," praising his "boundless curiosity" and "mastery of colour."

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a giant of the world of art… whose irrepressible charm, talent and constant innovation will be most sorely missed