Born in Bradford, England, David Hockney emerged as a significant figure in the British pop art movement during the 1960s. His early career was defined by his move to Los Angeles, where he developed his signature style characterized by vibrant colors and depictions of swimming pools and domestic interiors.

Throughout his career, Hockney has experimented with a wide range of media, including printmaking, stage design, and photography. His later practice has increasingly incorporated digital technology, utilizing iPads to create expansive landscapes and still lifes that challenge traditional perspectives on light and space.

Hockney remains a central figure in contemporary art, with major institutional recognition continuing into his ninth decade. Recent programming includes a 2026 solo exhibition at Serpentine North featuring his monumental frieze A Year in Normandie, alongside upcoming 2027 retrospectives at Tate Modern and Tate Britain to celebrate his 90th birthday.