One of the most iconic painters of the last century, David Hockney, has died at the age of 88. His demise was confirmed by his publicist, who announced that the artist passed away in his sleep at his London home on Thursday.
David Hockney was born in Bradford, England, in 1937. He attended the Royal College of Art and moved to Los Angeles in 1964, kickstarting his career. Throughout his life, he experimented with a plethora of mediums – painting, drawing, prints, photography, and even digital media like fax machines and iPads. His subjects were as diverse as his mediums, including portraits, landscapes, and stage designs (most notably of the Metropolitan Opera in New York).
However, his true love remained portraits. From the beginning of his career till the very end, he did not stop painting portraits of his loved ones – be it family members, friends, or his pet dog. One of Hockney’s greatest achievements was being simultaneously a popular artiste with mass appeal and a darling of art critics.
David Hockney was also a rebel to the core. Taking after his father, a conscientious objector during WWII, Hockney also objected to his own service and instead worked at a hospital during the time. He objected to the RCA’s diploma requirements, ultimately forcing them to change their rules. He also objected to the taboo of homosexuality, which was illegal during his early life, by prominently featuring the themes in his works.
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Hockney also did not believe in rest. His last exhibition, the largest in his career, closed only last year at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. In March, he personally opened his exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery in London. He is survived by his partner and two brothers.
