British artist David Hockney, widely regarded as one of the most influential painters of the modern era, passed away on Thursday at the age of 88, his publicist confirmed. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Hockney’s artistic journey began in his childhood in Bradford, northern England, where he developed a deep fascination with light and color. This early interest was shaped by the striking contrast between the industrial grayness of his hometown and the bright, sharply defined sunlight depicted in Hollywood films, particularly those featuring the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. This influence eventually drew him to California, where much of his iconic work was created.

Born to an accountancy clerk and a devout Methodist mother, Hockney pursued art studies locally before relocating to London in 1959. There, he emerged as a prominent figure in the British pop art movement, gaining recognition for his distinctive style and innovative techniques. During the 1960s—a period marked by significant cultural shifts—Hockney mingled with notable figures including dancer Rudolf Nureyev and musician Mick Jagger.

His first visit to New York in 1961, driven by an admiration for American art, led to a friendship with Andy Warhol. Eventually settling in Los Angeles, he embraced the city’s vibrant atmosphere, often capturing its sunny pools, landscapes, and leisurely lifestyle in his paintings. These works played a pivotal role in reshaping contemporary art, presenting everyday scenes with vivid color and unique perspective. While some critics initially viewed his focus on commonplace subjects as unconventional, his international reputation steadily grew.

A milestone in Hockney’s career occurred in 2018 when his painting Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) sold at auction for $90.3 million, setting a record for the highest price paid for a living artist’s work at the time. In later years, he returned to his Yorkshire roots, producing hundreds of paintings that depicted the region’s changing seasons, countryside roads, and rolling hills—a period considered among his most artistically productive.

Always an innovator, Hockney embraced emerging technologies throughout his career, experimenting with photography, fax machines, computers, and iPads as tools for artistic expression. His Yorkshire landscapes also inspired a commission for a stained-glass window at Westminster Abbey. In 2018, he moved to Normandy, France, where he created A Year in Normandie, a large-scale work reflecting the countryside’s changing beauty and drawing inspiration from the historic Bayeux Tapestry.

Known for his relentless work ethic, Hockney continued to produce art well into his later years. Reflecting on his enduring dedication, he once said, “You don’t retire doing this. You just do it until you fall over.” His legacy endures through a transformative body of work that has influenced generations of artists worldwide.