DAVID Hockney, one of the UK’s most influential artists, and a pioneering figure in the British pop art scene, died on Friday at the age of 88.
He was known for his memorable, often playful works rolled together elements from cubism and pop art to create vibrant tableaus.
The National Galleries of Scotland, custodians of some examples of his work have mourned his death, and expressed pride at having displayed his work over the years.
A spokesperson for the National Galleries said: “We are incredibly sad to hear of the death of David Hockney.
“Right from his time as star student at the Royal College of Art in London and his first exhibition aged 25 in 1963, through to his most recent works, Hockney carved out a unique place in British and international art.
“He innovated with a restless, often playful energy, creating some of the most memorable and influential artworks of the late 20th and 21st century.
“Through his pioneering art, he importantly gave voice and image to gay love and identity during the 1960s, before homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales, demonstrating the powerful role creativity can play in promoting equity and societal change.
“So many of his paintings, prints, drawings and digital artworks convey a sense of connection and joy of being with people and in the world, and he never ceased to experiment with new technologies.
“Hockney leaves an incredible legacy – an example of life lived to the full through and for art.
“We are proud to be custodians of an important group of works by David Hockney in Scotland’s national collection, which you can see for yourself for free in our archive as well as continuing to be shared with audiences for generations to come.”
Hockney was born in 1937 in Bradford and emerged in the 1960s as part of the British Pop Art scene after studying at the Royal College of Art, quickly gaining attention for work that mixed wit, personal symbolism, and modern life.
In the late 1960s and 1970s, after moving to California, he became famous for his sun-soaked swimming pool paintings and portraits, which are now among his most iconic works.
Over the decades, he expanded into photography, stage design, printmaking, and digital art, always exploring new ways of seeing.
His later career has included large-scale landscapes of Yorkshire and Normandy, as well as drawings made on iPhones and iPads, confirming his reputation as an artist who continually reinvents his practice.
