Hockney gets animated
Legendary artist unveils ‘moving pictures’ and rages over ‘censorship’ of pro-smoking views
DAVID Hockney has ignited a row about whether smoking could protect people from coronavirus.
the artist is currently living in his home in Normandy where he has been painting a series of epic works – including a remarkable animation – depicting the transformation of his garden from winter to spring.
But he has become embroiled in a row with the Guardian newspaper after he claims it refused to publish a letter he wrote setting out his argument in favour of smoking.
in the letter Hockney wrote: ‘Now we have Covid 19, and surprise, surprise, a lot of reports are coming out saying that smokers rarely get it. Could there be something in this?’
After the newspaper failed to run the letter, the 82-year-old artist branded it ‘cowardly’ and claimed it ‘cannot face’ aspects of his argument. He added: ‘it’s shocking that their agenda doesn’t allow them to engage in open debate on this.’
Hockney pointed out that Greece has seen one of the lowest coronavirus death rates in Europe despite having an above average number of smokers.
in his first ever Zoom interview, Hockney spoke exclusively to Mail+ to discuss his views on smoking and his controversial belief that it ‘might save your life’.
in the discussion with Daily Mail Editor Geordie Greig he also opened up about his ‘marvellous’ time in lockdown creating an extraordinary new painting with movement – which can be seen for the first time on Mail+.
the incredible art work, which sits alongside his spring series, was completed on an iPad across a number of months and captures a cherry blossom tree transitioning from winter to spring in his three-acre garden.
He created an image a day on his iPad, with some taking no longer than 25 minutes while others saw him work into the night.
He hopes around 100 of the spring paintings will be exhibited at some point next year in a chronological line allowing a ‘spring happening’ narrative.
Hockney’s theory that smoking could prevent coronavirus has split opinion. Previously Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: ‘it is abundantly clear ... that smoking makes the impact of a coronavirus worse.’ And Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty advised: ‘if you are going to give up smoking, this is a very good moment to do it.’
But scientists at Paris hospital Pitie-Salpetriere said they were going to give nicotine patches to key workers to test the theory after a small study showed the proportion of infected smokers is much lower than in others.
Last night a Guardian News & Media spokesman said: ‘We receive hundreds of letters a day and cannot publish them all. However, we are not aware of recently receiving a letter from David Hockney.’