David Hockney's Private Funeral Held in London

The widely celebrated British artist David Hockney, aged 88, has been laid to rest in a low-key ceremony. His publicist confirmed that, in accordance with the artist’s wishes, only his partner Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima and great-nephew Richard Hockney were in attendance.

Hockey died at his London home earlier this month, an event that prompted numerous tributes from across the art world, as well as from the Prime Minister and members of the Royal Family.

To commemorate the celebrated artist’s life and work, a series of memorial services are scheduled for next year. The first will take place in London in the spring, followed by events in Los Angeles and Paris, cities that held significance for Hockney throughout his life. A memorial is also planned for Yorkshire, his birthplace.

Hockey’s extensive legacy will be preserved through the allocation of most of his artworks to foundations and public institutions globally. His career, spanning seven decades, was marked by vibrant and innovative pieces, including iconic Yorkshire landscapes, the sun-drenched “swimming pool paintings” of Los Angeles, and his more recent iPad portraits.

A pivotal figure in the 1960s pop art movement, Hockney maintained considerable popularity throughout his life. His influence in art is undeniable, with one of his swimming pool paintings fetching nearly £70 million at auction in 2018, setting a record for a living artist at the time.

His most famous works include “The Splash,” “A Bigger Splash,” and “Portrait Of An Artist (Pool With Two Figures).

Tributes poured in following his death, with King Charles describing him as “a giant of the world of art and painting, a Yorkshireman through and through.” Artist Dame Tracey Emin honored him as “a great artist and a wonderful man, who with the power of art changed the perception of Britishness.”

Currently, an exhibition of Hockney’s art is running at the Serpentine Galleries in London until August. Furthermore, two exhibitions are slated for next year to recognize what would have been his 90th birthday, with Tate Modern and Tate Britain planning significant displays of his celebrated career.

His publicist stated that the details of the funeral were kept private to respect the wishes of his loved ones, and the upcoming memorials are also in line with David’s plans. “The funeral of David Hockney, widely regarded as Britain’s best-known artist, has already taken place, his publicist has confirmed,” reports NilePost.