The legendary artist David Hockney has died at the age of 88. The prolific painter, born in Bradford, was one of the most influential and popular British artists of the modern era. He was best known for his colourful depictions of Los Angeles, featuring dreamlike images of swimming pools, palm trees, and pastel pink architecture, alongside his revolutionary portrayal of gay life during a time when homosexuality was still criminalised in the UK. Later in his six-decade career, Hockney became a digital artist, making bold iPad drawings of landscapes in Yorkshire and France.
If you want to experience his work first hand, there are several places in the capital where you can see the virtuoso’s paintings. Here we have rounded up the best places to see David Hockney’s art in London right now.
Places to See David Hockney’s Art in London
Tate Britain
Hockney’s 1967 masterpiece A Bigger Splash is currently on display in Tate Britain’s free collection. You do not need a ticket to see this one. The gallery is also planning a major retrospective of the artist’s work, which will open in October 2027.
Serpentine North
The Serpentine North gallery is currently hosting a free exhibition of Hockney’s digital artworks. The centrepiece of this show is A Year in Normandie, a ninety-metre-long frieze inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, showing the change of seasons at the artist’s Normandy studio. You can book tickets online.
National Portrait Gallery
You can find Hockney’s 2005 painting Self-Portrait with Charlie in the National Portrait Gallery’s free-to-visit permanent collection. It is on display in Room 30 on Floor 1.
Tate Modern
During Tate Britain’s retrospective, Tate Modern will turn its Turbine Hall into a massive immersive tribute to Hockney. Exploring a lesser-known aspect of his career, the walls of the hall will be projected with set designs Hockney created for various opera houses around the world. This will take place during summer 2027 and will be free to visit. Both exhibitions are being staged to celebrate what would have been Hockney’s 90th birthday.
Halcyon Gallery
This commercial art gallery in Mayfair has a number of Hockneys in its collection, which are also for sale. These include etchings, lithographs, and iPad drawings. While the gallery’s current exhibition is not dedicated to the painter, the gallery changes its display regularly and often features Hockney’s work. His pieces can also be viewed on request.
