Howard Hodgkin

Date of Birth: August 6, 1932

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: March 9, 2017

Biography

Sir Gordon Howard Eliot Hodgkin was a distinguished British painter and printmaker, renowned for his vibrant use of color and expressive brushwork. Born on August 6, 1932, in London, England, Hodgkin’s artistic journey began early in his life, influenced by his great-aunt, the Scottish artist Eliot Hodgkin. He was educated at the Bryanston School in Dorset and later attended Camberwell Art School and the Bath Academy of Art in Corsham. Hodgkin’s early works were more figurative, but he gradually developed a unique abstract style that conveyed emotion and memory through bold colors and dynamic compositions. His works often appeared to blur the line between representation and abstraction, which became a hallmark of his artistic identity. Throughout his career, Hodgkin received numerous accolades, including the Turner Prize in 1985. He was knighted in 1992 for his contributions to the arts and was appointed a Companion of Honour in 2003. His works have been exhibited in major galleries worldwide, and he is celebrated as one of Britain’s leading contemporary artists. Hodgkin passed away on March 9, 2017, in London, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence the art world.

5 Interesting Facts about Howard Hodgkin

1. Howard Hodgkin was a distant relative of the famous British scientist Thomas Hodgkin, after whom Hodgkin’s lymphoma is named.

2. He represented Britain at the Venice Biennale in 1984, one of the most prestigious art exhibitions in the world.

3. Hodgkin’s painting “Leaf” was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in 2010 for a record £1.7 million.

4. He was appointed as a trustee of the Tate Gallery from 1970 to 1976.

5. Hodgkin’s works are included in the collections of major institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Tate Gallery in London.