David Hockney a defining figure in contemporary art

British artist David Hockney, considered one of the most influential and defining figures in contemporary art, whose paintings captured the world in brilliant colour, has died, aged 88, his publicist said on June 12.

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Describing Hockney as ‘‘one of the most important figures in contemporary art in both the 20th and 21st centuries’’, Erica Bolton said he had ‘‘passed away peacefully at home’’ in London on June 11, a month before his 89th birthday.

‘‘His seven-decade career and prolific oeuvre were characterised by his multimedia approach in image-making, an intellectual inquiry into the nature of depiction and perspective, and a sustained commitment to celebrating and portraying the world around him,’’ her statement added.

It noted that he is survived by his long-time partner and companion, Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima, two brothers and ‘‘numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews’’.