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# 100 Heroes: David Hockney
- URL: https://www.gtv.blue/100-heroes-david-hockney/
- Published: 2026-07-08T23:01:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-09T04:41:17.000Z
- Description: The gay man who became an iconic painter.
- Author: Gareth Johnson
- Tags: 100 Heroes

David Hockney was a painter who captured the vividness of queer life in California.

### Early Life

Born in 1937 in Yorkshire, Hockney studied at the Bradford College of Art before continuing his studies at the Royal College of Art in London.

### California

In 1964, Hockney moved to Los Angeles.

Here, Hockney began painting with acrylics and using bold and bright colours. His swimming pool series established a global reputation and defined his style.

The paintings were imbued not only with the sunshine of California, but also the freedom of queer life in Los Angeles - immersing us in the love, lust, and loss that Hockney was living.

With his signature bleach-blond hair, round, thick-rimmed spectacles and a cigarette dangling from his lip, Hockney was instantly recognisable and very visible on the LA party circuit.

### The exhibition

The Tate museum in London is planning a major retrospective of Hockney's work - presented at both Tate Britain and Tate Modern.

It's understood that the exhibition will presented in 2027.

### Personal Life

Hockney publicly identified as a gay man and openly discussed his sexuality - which was often front and centre in his paintings.

Significant relationships included Peter Schlesinger, Gregory Evans, Ian Falconer, and Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima.

Hockney died in 2026, aged 88.

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