Early Life and Education

David Hockney was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, to Laura and Kenneth Hockney. He is the fourth of five children. His father, Kenneth, was known for his pacifist views during the Second World War.

Hockney received his early education at Wellington Primary School and Bradford Grammar School. He later studied at Bradford College of Art before being accepted into the Royal College of Art in London. It was at the Royal College where he encountered other influential artists, including R. B. Kitaj, who would become a lifelong friend and collaborator.

Artistic Career and Pop Art Influence

David Hockney emerged as a major figure in the pop art movement during the 1960s, contributing significantly to the genre through his unique style and innovative use of color. Over the decades, his work has encompassed a broad range of mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, and stage design.

In 2018, Hockney’s painting Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), created in 1972, was sold at Christie’s in New York for $90 million. At the time, it set a record for the most expensive artwork sold at auction by a living artist, underscoring his enduring influence on contemporary art.

Residences and Personal Life

Throughout his life, Hockney has maintained residences in both the United Kingdom and the United States. In the UK, he has lived and worked in locations such as Bridlington and London. Since 1964, he has also spent significant periods of time in California, a state whose landscape and culture have profoundly influenced his artistic output.

In California, Hockney owns homes in the Hollywood Hills and Malibu. He also manages an office and archives on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, reflecting his deep connection to both the place and its artistic community.