Updated: Probe into death of David Hockney's studio assistant (From York Press)

Updated: Probe into death of David Hockney's studio assistant

10:40am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

A STUDIO assistant to the artist David Hockney has died in hospital after being taken from the painter’s East Yorkshire home in a serious condition.

Dominic Elliott, 23, had sat for the artist on more than one occasion at his studio in Bridlington, sources have said.

He died at Scarborough General Hospital on Sunday morning and police are now investigating the events surrounding his death.

Humberside Police said that they were contacted after the man had been taken to the hospital in a serious condition, by a friend.

A police spokesman said: “The 23-year-old man was pronounced dead at hospital and the police notified.

“The circumstances of the man’s death are not clear and officers are currently making inquiries to establish events leading to his death.

“There were no signs of violence and a post-mortem examination is due to take place tomorrow, which is hoped may provide further information.”

Tributes have been paid to Mr Elliott by members of the rugby club where he played in the seaside town.

Bridlington Rugby Club chairman Gordon Morrice reportedly said: “Dominic was a valued member of our club, a good player with great potential.

“With his size and ability he could easily have established himself as a first-team regular.

“He was a popular lad and had so many friends at the club.”

Hockney, 75, is one of the most famous British artists of his generation and was celebrated at the Royal Academy of Arts last year with an exhibition of his large-scale landscapes, called A Bigger Picture. His Bigger Trees Near Warter also featured at York Art Gallery.

Last month, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of York in a ceremony to mark its 50th anniversary.

Nobody was available to speak at Hockney’s home in Bridlington yesterday morning.