Art world pays tribute to 'endlessly inventive and unique' David Hockney

David Hockney, one of Britain's most important and influential artists of the modern era, has died at the age of 88.

He died peacefully at home, one month short of his 89th birthday.

The artist's career spanned seven decades, and he was known for using painting, printmaking, photography and latterly digital art to depict his native Yorkshire and his adopted home of California.

His most famous artworks included A Bigger Splash and My Parents.

A statement 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."

Hockney was born in Bradford and learned his craft by pushing a pram containing art materials around the city as he painted on the streets.

After training in at Bradford School of Art, he went on to study at the Royal College of Art, graduating with a gold medal distinction.

After moving to Los Angeles in 1964, his distinctive painting style highlighted life with his swimming pool series of paintings.

His most famous works also included the portrait Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, of fashion designer Ossie Clark and textile designer Celia Birtwell, in 1971.

In 2024, he backed a nationwide drawing project for Bradford's tenure as UK City of Culture 2025.