Harry Styles begins a 12-night residency at London’s Wembley Stadium with a tribute to the late artist David Hockney, which appears on stage screens during the first show. Multiple outlets report that Hockney’s quote is shown before Styles performs, and the audience responds with applause. The comments highlight Hockney’s view of art as a way to bring people closer and share experiences.
Hockney died last week at age 88, and the tribute is tied to his relationship with Styles’ own artistic circle. Earlier this year, Styles sat for Hockney for a portrait in which Hockney painted Styles at his Normandy studio. The resulting portrait formed part of an exhibition described by one outlet as being displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in 2023.
During the same Wembley performance, Styles also reflects on his earlier career. Sources say he mentions his X Factor days, including recalling an experience involving Wembley Arena and thanking his sister, who is described as being present at the show.
