AIBU to dislike David Hockney for opposing the smoking ban?

[Bertiebiscuit]

I always disliked David Hockney for his campaign against the Smoking indoors in public places ban, probably the best thing the then sensible Labour government did for public health and predictably the Guardian supported him - that rag is always on the wrong side of history. No doubt he would have lived longer had he had any sense. That legislation brought in stop smoking clinics, trained smoking cessation counsellors and inspired stop smoking aids like nicotine replacement therapy. Probably the biggest positive change in public health since sewers and soap. One selfish old man with no children did his level best to interfere, we should not deify him.

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.

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!

For goodness sake

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

Indeed. A very disturbing character.

Did he oppose the smoking ban? I didn’t know that. I like him even more now

David Hockney remained true to his real self. He kept his Yorkshire accent and spoke his mind. He was authentic.

I've never heard him say anything 'offensive' (whatever that means...) - he was just honest about his opinions, and that's refreshing these days. So many famous people say what we all want to hear, or are terrified of being cancelled by such people as OP!

I thought everyone knew that famous artists are known for being rebellious, sometimes angry, provocative and unconventional. What does/did OP expect??

I fully approve of the word ‘tab’ for a cigarette it takes me back to my youth in the North East. I fully approve of David Hockney’s right to his opinion. As far as I know he didn’t go round puffing smoke into unsuspecting people’s faces indoors. I love his art it’s colourful and happy like the man himself was. I said this on the thread I started yesterday when his death was announced. I think if I am lucky enough to reach nearly 89 years of age I would be happy with that. I say that as a non smoker.

I find it really sad that this thread has attracted so much more attention than yours @Foundress. The heartening thing is the number of posts filled with appreciation and love for Hockney.

Thank you. No matter. I am just glad that most people have made their appreciation of David Hockney clear on this thread Blossom. I see OP has not yet returned maybe she has nipped out for a tab😂.

He wasn’t grumpy, he celebrated life and stayed youthful and active in his thinking as he continued to explore new ways of seeing things even for new works this year. So not set in his ways.

His range of ‘merch’ for his current exhibition is playful and rebellious. He urges us all to look at our world and celebrate what we see, aesthetically.

He was also generous with sharing his views, explaining. His portraits, from early ones of his Mum and Dad to ones this year of one of his carers are warm, sensitive, attentive and full of admiration.

So I’m interested in What evidence you have for grumpiness.

Firstly, disagreeing with his views on smoking needn't stop you appreciating his work, if you like it. Even if you don't personally like his work, you can't deny its general popularity and influence.

I also think the smoking indoors ban was handled badly. I thought, and still think, they should have allowed licensed smoking venues. There could have been an exemption on anyone feeling obliged to work in one (as there are exemptions for job-seekers being expected to apply for certain jobs now, e.g. in licensed sex shops).

Why didn't they do this? Because they knew that 'smoking pubs' would have been rammed to the rafters and non-smoking pubs would've been empty 😆

But you are perfectly entitled to disagree with Hockney's stance.

RIP David Hockney. Beautiful man. Beautiful artist. Beautiful art.
I'm not a smoker but I admired him for his stance.
OP you are obviously entitled to your opinion any time. But I doubt you will leave your mark in any way shape or form compared to this great artist.

I like his art but he was being ridiculous on that subject. Why should other people be subjected to his second hand smoke? I’ve noticed from reading interviews with him that he was aware of health issues with that in non smokers. Some people just think you make an exception for them. But like I said, his art was great.

He was still entitled to his opinion -you don’t have to agree but to call it ridiculous is weird. And only happens on MN where smokers and dog owners are the worst kind of people.

“Weird” is subjective. The fact you care could be called weird, for example.

But do you call all opinions that differ from your own ‘ridiculous’?

I can appreciate someone's work without agreeing on everything they believed in.

I’d have to see whether your artistic talents were comparable to decide.

Or haranguing staff for perfect chip pairing tips