AIBU to dislike David Hockney for opposing the smoking ban?

I really, really want to know who the 29 people who think @Bertiebiscuit is being reasonable are.

Not just unreasonable but utterly vile. He was an extraordinary artist who died just short of his 89th birthday. Of all the days to start a discussion about smoking this most certainly isn't it. What a reprehensible post to make.

Yes, so disrespectful, churlish and depressing.

You aren’t only being unreasonable, you’re being pathetic. A long life of talent and adventure reduced to his stance on a single issue. Ludicrous.

He's dead.

I have to say OP, I do actually always think about this when I see him mentioned. He was SO vocal about his right to smoke in public enclosed places, his whole argument was about his rights, no thought about anyone else’s choices or health. It definitely made me think less of him at the time and I have remembered it ever since.

But people are complex. He was in many ways a brilliant ambassador for a much denigrated northern city. He made some great art and was prolific in to his old age. I don’t think he was a saint but I get why people liked him and understand them mourning his death.

I followed this story at the time. I'm not convinced the whole truth came out, but I also don't necessarily think David Hockney was personally involved.

People like the OP think those who don't have any children of their own don't have a 'stake in society', so to speak. Load of old shite, but it's a sentiment you do come across.

Horrible thread, maybe it's just the usual raigbait seeking attention

Ths is such a strange post. I'm not one to spout guff about 'not speaking ill of the dead' (if they were arseholes in life they were still arseholes). But to start a thread the day his death is announced about how you dislike hiim because a simply point of view he held- that's quite - extreme. He wasn't killing puppies on screen FFS.

OP hasn't been back. What a surprise.

Jesus, some people need to grow up.

I also disagree with his position on the smoking ban. I worked in a pub pre-ban and is was awful to work in. However, I’m mature enough to accept some people will take a different view.

Your suggestion that his achievements as an artist and as a person should be “cancelled” or negated by one opinion you disagree with is sixth form politics at its finest.

David Hockney was one of the finest artists we’ve ever produced, and should be celebrated.

Oh bugger off

It was unnecessary to post this today. Hockney has created an amazing legacy, he was a great artist, personality and eccentric. He was a northern, working class, homosexual who had great success in the art world despite all these odds against him. He has lived and continued working prolifically to a great age (despite being a chain smoker) and we should be celebrating him.

So you disagreed with his views on smoking in public places (a minor issue in a world full of much worse things), but is that really a reason to actively dislike someone? Strange way to evaluate whether someone is likeable or not. There's lots of people who have different opinions to me, I don't dislike them for that unless it's something totally abhorrent they support.

You're entitled to feel how you feel, but I'm a little perplexed that you feel so strongly you'd make a post about it.

I also didn't know he had died (neither does my Alexa!) but he was 88!

He’s my second favourite artist. Didn’t know he’d died until I read the OP. It’s a loss for sure. I went to his big exhibition in London a few years ago, have been to Saltaire a few times and also to Lille for an exhibition of his. His iPad art was also amazing.

He was entitled to campaign against the smoking ban. I assume he wasn’t walking around Tesco illegally lighting up?

what does his lack of children have to do with anything? He was gay wasn’t he, so far less likely to have kids.

Don’t be ridiculous. You have basically said you are happy he has died because he didn’t agree with your opinion on smoking and he had the nerve not to add to the planet’s overpopulation, have children.

That is an odd take on it.

Do you have evidence that he was a bad person? Or is it always cause for celebration when a person who is pro smoking and childfree dies? Even if they were one of the most important artists of their time?

He’s died. He was a great artist and (shock, horror) he was perfectly entitled to have his opinion regarding the totally legal act of smoking.

What? His death was announced today and you’re on about the smoking ban?

He did such a lively, vibrant and unique stained glass window for Westminster Abbey. There was a programme about him doing this - he came across as a very thoughtful, perceptive and talented man.

Westminster Abbey Queen's Window by David Hockney revealed - BBC News

The Saltaire Exhibition is wonderful, called in when visiting Bradford. Well worth a visit, lovely place to have a wander around .

What an odd thing to say, OP. Are you OK?

It’s astonishing that you think today is the day to start this thread @Bertiebiscuit. I feel quite sorry for you tbh.

The Saltaire exhibition is fabulous! We spent hours there, having just popped in for a cup of tea to break a long journey.

Exactly this. I mean you don't even have to think he was a great artist. But this thread is everything that is wrong with the world right now: person had an opinion that OP disagreed with so OP has to take to the internet and talk about how much they dislike the man entirely.

Grow. Up.