Two books of condolence have opened for the late artist David Hockney in his home city of Bradford, following his death at age 88 on June 11. Hockney, known for iconic works such as The Splash, A Bigger Splash, and Portrait Of An Artist (Pool With Two Figures), died peacefully at his home. His funeral was held with only two mourners present: his partner Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima and great-nephew Richard.
Condolence Books at Cathedral and City Hall
The books of condolence are now available at Bradford Cathedral and City Hall, honouring Hockney, who was a freeman of the city. In a social media post, a spokesperson for Bradford Cathedral stated: “To honour the freeman of our city of Bradford, artist David Hockney, who died just over a week ago and whose funeral happened this weekend, we are giving all visitors an opportunity to contribute to his book of condolence. We are offering this in partnership with the city and district council who will also be offering the same in City Hall for the next two weeks. We are also flying our flag at half-mast, as is protocol for such occasions.”
Bradford Cathedral noted that due to flying the flag at half-mast, it would not display the Windrush flag for Windrush Day on June 22, but affirmed it would “continue to support this community and all they have contributed and continue to do for our city and district.”
Hockney's Artistic Legacy
Throughout his lifetime, Hockney was celebrated for embracing diverse formats, including digital art and iPad creations alongside traditional painting. He trained at Bradford School of Art in the 1950s and later at the Royal College of Art in London, where he graduated with a gold medal distinction in 1962, emerging as a seminal talent among the new generation of British artists. In 2017, he was invited by the Dean of Westminster Abbey to create the stained-glass Queen’s Window in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, unveiled in October 2018. He was appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour in 1997 and the Order of Merit in 2012 by the late Queen. In 2026, Hockney became one of the few non-French citizens awarded the rank of officer in France’s Legion d’Honneur.
