316. Famous for his signature phrase, "Love Life," David Hockney leaves the world 

When renowned contemporary artist David Hockney expressed his opinions on art history and the techniques used by master painters in his 2001 book Secret Knowledge, it generated considerable controversy. Yesterday, the celebrated British painter, known for his revolutionary influence on 20th-century art, passed away at the age of 88.

His theories sought to challenge the conventional perspective on the evolution of Western painting, beginning in the early 15th century. He was often described as a revisionary art historian.

Though he confined himself to landscape, portraiture, and still life, he consistently demonstrated a strong innovativeness through his use of new technologies. 

He argued that many European artists from the 15th century onward had used the optical technology of their era as a tool. It sparked a debate that continues to simmer. 

He created perspective-shifting portraits through photo collage, explored abstract landscape painting, and, later in life, examined how emerging 3D technology could be used to produce artworks.

I recall reading one of his interviews in which he said, “Teaching people to draw is teaching people to look.” It was helpful to me because I also have no formal training in painting.

And in the same interview, he said, “I don’t reflect too much. I live in the now. It’s always now.”

He was perhaps best known for his paintings of swimming pools. His works, including A Bigger Splash and Portrait of an Artist, depicted hedonistic scenes of love, lust, and loss.

In November 2018, the 1972 masterpiece Portrait of an Artist sold for $90.3m at Christie’s, setting a world record for a living artist at the time. 

Hockney, renowned for his signature phrase “Love Life,” like our own Maqbool Fida Hussain, knew how to spark controversy. 

He declined a knighthood on several occasions and once turned down an invitation to paint a portrait of the Queen. 

An avid smoker all his life, Hockney maintained that cigarettes had benefited his mental health. I can visualize him searching for a cigarette shop somewhere up above. He would most certainly find one.

RIP Master.