David Hockney, giant of British contemporary art, dies aged 88

BREAKING NEWSJun. 12, 2026, 10:21 AM UTCPop Culture NewsPop Culture NewsDavid Hockney, giant of British contemporary art, dies aged 88One of the most influential figures of the art world, Hockney was famous for works such as “A Bigger Splash,” depicting modernist architecture and a glinting swimming pool in Los Angeles.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00David Hockney in his home in Los Angeles in 1987. Anthony Barboza / Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleBy Alexander SmithLONDON — The iconic British contemporary artist David Hockney has died, his publicist said Friday. He was 88.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.One of the most influential figures of the art world, Hockney was famous for works such as “A Bigger Splash,” depicting the modernist architecture and a glinting swimming pool in Los Angeles, where he lived in the 1960s.He “passed away peacefully at home” in London on Thursday, a month short of his 89th birthday, publicist Erica Bolton said in a emailed statement.David Hockney standing in front of his "Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)" in New York in 2017.Johannes Schmitt-Tegge / picture alliance via Getty Images fileThis is a breakings story. Please check back for updates.ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleAlexander SmithAlexander Smith is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital based in London.