AIBU to dislike David Hockney for opposing the smoking ban?

Indeed. A very disturbing character.

He was a ground breaking artist with tremendous talent. So, he disagreed with me on smoking. I can't quite see how that makes him dislikeable.
He was entitled to his opinion. As are you, OP, although your timing is a bit off.

His stance didn’t make any difference, though, did it?

It'll be a sad day when we lose the right to an opinion

Hockney grumpy? He was one of the most joyful people on the planet.

And I wouldn’t say that Eric Gill had ‘sexual relations’ with his daughters. He raped his daughters.

Well, I’d never cared for his art, anyway! He just seemed like a miserable old man.

As for Caravaggio, his art is undeniably stunning, but definitely tainted by the fact that he was a murderer and a paedophile. The Walker art gallery had Caravaggio’s Cupid on display earlier this year, and I did find it quite sickening to look at knowing he was abusing the boy who modelled Cupid. Of course, Hockney being a grumpy old man doesn’t compare to that!

For goodness sake

But when you say that...what do you mean?

Did it put you off his art? Or did you just disagree strongly with him on that issue?

I mean, the sculptor Eric Gill (who did some wonderful art) had sexual relations with his daughters and had all sorts of bizarre beliefs. I would have given him a massive swerve as a person, but it doesn't affect the fact that I admire his art.

And Caravaggio killed someone!

I agree with you, OP. I remember many years ago reading an interview with him where he was moaning about the smoking ban in California and it put me off him.

My thoughts exactly.

He was one man, entitled to his opinion and was about to turn 89 next month so if you think he'd have lived much longer without being a smoker you're clearly delusional.

How about showing some respect and keeping your opinions to yourself at the present time, when many people will be feeling the loss of a spectacularly talented artist?

If we disdained all the great artists who were addicted to some sort of drug, the world would be significantly poorer, artistically.

So he expressed an opinion that you did not like, OP. Hardly the crime of the century.

If you take such exception to someone thinking differently to you, I can only assume you have very few friends.

My attitude is: David Hockney wasn't a friend of mine - he was a major artist.

I'm only interested in him as an artist (in terms of judging him, I don't mean I have no interest in his life etc). I couldn't care less whether he smoked or drank!

Honestly, OP, if you think like that there'd be no artists, composers, actors or musicians you'd approve of!

When will we stop looking for reasons to disapprove of people? Unless he was a paedophile or a murderer, his personal habits are fine by me.

Horrible post and horrible mentality.

You really tried hard to find something to be offended about, didn't you?

‘Today is not the day for posting it’ - so you did. Make it make sense.

I hate smoking and vaping never tried then and never will but no i have no issue with what he said not need to cancel him to male myself feel better

What a horrible post.

Also, we've had stop smoking services since 2001 and OTC NRT (which is shite by the way) since the 1990s.

While the smoking ban undoubtedly improved the health of non-smokers there is no evidence it led to a reduction in smoking. In fact, the reduction in prevalence slowed markedly from 2007, only picking up again in the mid 2010s when smokers started switching to vaping. This coincided with massive cuts to stop smoking services, so ...

I disliked his views on smoking but love some of his art.
His views on smoking didn’t hold sway so didn’t harm anyone else. His art will continue to enrich many people’s life for years to come.

YABVVU.

That's your take away about the life of David Hockney?? Seriously?? Talk about pearls before swine.

Absolutely this.

I'm a non-smoker, never-been-a-smoker, but I respect his right to express his views and his opposition to this.

Disregarding his huge contribution to art because you disagree on one subject is so petty.

I hate smoking and fully supported the smoking ban but it seems a bit mean spirited to hold a grudge and not only that air it when the man’s just died. He was 88 so hardly died young anyway did he.

Er, thanks for sharing.

If you hear some of his interviews, you will come across his ability to give smooth, genial, and polished ways of responding to sensationalist frothing and rude questions that tried to stir scandal around his lifestyle and views, so I'm enjoying thinking of several of those past examples and how they may have compared to elements of your post.

I met him about 40 years ago. Huge thrill. I own a signed poster.
Wonderful artist and a very thoughtful man

@Bertiebiscuit just listened to the short obituary on UK news, one tidbit was that during a party for his 70TH birthday at Tate Britain 2007 they suspended the fire alarms for 10 minutes so he could have a tab 🤗😘 Love it.