David Hockney, of the most celebrated artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, dies at 88

David Hockney, one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, has died at the age of 88. Sky News reported his death, citing his publicist. No cause of death was immediately given.

“

Strong shadows meant a lot of sun. So I thought, well, wherever that is, it's always sunny.

Hockney, who grew up in northern England, was drawn to the bright light and vibrant colors of California. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s, seeking the sun-drenched environment he associated with Hollywood films. His brightly colored renditions of California landscapes and lifestyle, including iconic paintings of swimming pools and figures, became synonymous with a sun-kissed era. He famously stated, "I had spent the first 20 years of my life in the gothic gloom of the North. Here I felt free."

“

I thought people who produced such work must live in color, so I went in search of it.

Initially, Hockney was also known for his distinctive personal style, including thick-rimmed spectacles and peroxide hair, which became emblematic of Britain's Swinging Sixties. As an art student in Bradford, he challenged conventions, giving unconventional titles to his abstract works at a time when homosexuality was illegal. His meteoric rise in the British pop art movement in London saw him associate with figures like Rudolf Nureyev and Mick Jagger.

“

I had spent the first 20 years of my life in the gothic gloom of the North. Here I felt free.

Despite his immense success, Hockney maintained a sense of humility, once telling his biographer, "I am actually still a student." His work, which explored themes of love, sex, and material wealth, earned him greater renown than any other British artist of the 20th century. He divided his time in later years between Los Angeles, London, and Paris.

“

I am actually still a student.