Art giant David Hockney’s final wish: A funeral attended by just two people

LONDON, June 20 — The funeral for David Hockney, the acclaimed British artist who died just over a week ago, has already been held in strict privacy, his publicist said yesterday.

Hockney, a hugely influential figure who helped pioneer the 1960s pop art movement and whose paintings have been lauded for decades for capturing the world in brilliant colour, passed away on June 12 aged 88.

“The funeral has already taken place,” Erica Bolton said in a statement, issued in response to numerous enquiries about the arrangements.

“We would like to clarify that it was David’s clear wish that his funeral should be attended only by his partner, JP, and his great-nephew Richard; and that their privacy would be respected,” she added.

Hockney is survived by his long-time partner Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima, as well as two brothers and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, Bolton previously confirmed.

Her statement also announced that “the vast majority of his works will be given to foundations in furtherance of his legacy, as well as to public institutions throughout the world”.

No further details were provided about the extent of that collection to be donated or what arrangements were made around that process.

In 2008, the artist founded The David Hockney Foundation, “with the goal of advancing appreciation and understanding of visual art and culture”, according to its website. The foundation owns more than 8,000 works, it states.

Bolton also revealed that the first memorial service to celebrate Hockney’s life and work will be held in London in the first half of next year, “in accordance with David’s wishes”.

Further memorials will then be held in his home region of Yorkshire, northern England, as well as in Paris and Los Angeles at later dates.

Tributes have poured in over the last eight days for the globally renowned painter and master draughtsman, who kept experimenting and exhibiting right up until his death.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were among those to express their sadness, noting his “irrepressible charm, talent and constant innovation will be most sorely missed”. — AFP