Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has joined the art world in paying tribute to David Hockney, one of the UK's most important and popular artists, who has died at the age of 88.
Sir Keir said he was "saddened" to hear of the death of "one of Britain's most celebrated artists". Artist Dame Tracey Emin said she felt privileged to have known Hockney, calling him "a great artist and a wonderful man, who with the power of art changed the perception of Britishness."
Over his seven-decade career, Hockney was famous for his vibrant and innovative artworks, including landscapes of his native Yorkshire, sun-drenched paintings of Los Angeles swimming pools, and iPad portraits of his friends and family.
A Downing Street spokesman added that the artist's "vivid, instantly recognisable work influenced generations of artists." Alex Farquharson, director of Tate Britain, described Hockney as an "immensely important figure" and "an endlessly inventive artist."
The Pompidou Centre in Paris called Hockney "unquestionably one of the major figures of contemporary art." Announcing his death on Friday, Hockney's representatives said his "enduring legacy reflects his underlying enthusiasm for life, his outstanding sense of humour, his immense generosity, and his investigative curiosity."
Tate said they would continue to work with Hockney's team to stage two planned projects next year: a major exhibition at Tate Britain and a multimedia installation in Tate Modern's Turbine Hall.
Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, called Hockney "quite simply one of Yorkshire's finest." London Mayor Sadiq Khan called him "a true icon and revolutionary of British art."
Dominic James Bilton, co-leader of the Queer British Art Network, said Hockney was a "giant of queer British art." Labour peer Lord Cashman added that the artist "spoke truth to the world."
Hockney learned his craft by pushing a pram containing art materials around his home city. After training at Bradford School of Art, he studied at the Royal College of Art, graduating with a gold medal distinction.
After moving to Los Angeles in 1964, Hockney's distinctive style highlighted life in California with his swimming pool series. His other famous works included the portrait Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy in 1971.
Last year, Hockney spoke to the BBC about his biggest ever exhibition. During the pandemic in 2020, living in Normandy, he used his iPad to paint trees and flowers blooming as spring arrived.
He is survived by his long-time partner Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima, his great-nephew Richard, his brothers Philip and John, plus other relatives.
Source: www.bbc.com