David Hockney advert for Louis Vuitton exhibition banned by Paris Metro
The Paris Metro transport network has banned a poster advertising a new retrospective exhibition by British artist David Hockney, set to commence at the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris. The ban is reportedly implemented because the image of Hockney in the advert shows him with a cigarette.
The image in question shows the legendary artist working on a self-portrait with a crayon in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Created to promote the ‘David Hockney 25’ exhibition at FLV this week, the transport network informed the artist’s team that the image would not be permitted due to tobacco product advertising rules.
In response, the 87-year-old artist called the decision “complete madness.” Speaking to The Independent, he continued, “I am used to the interfering bossiness of people stopping people making their own choices but this is petty.” Adding, “Art has always been a path to free expression and this is a dismal [decision].”
Smoking has always been a great muse for the West Yorkshire artist. Images of him working with a cigarette in his mouth are almost as iconic as his extensive painting work. Back in 2005, Hockney fiercely opposed the proposed smoking ban in the UK, attending the Labour Party Conference to declare, “Death awaits you whether you smoke or not.”
He also authored an op-ed for The Guardian in 2007, which reaffirmed his love of tobacco. “I smoke for my mental health,” he wrote. “I think it’s good for it, and I certainly prefer its calming effects to the pharmaceutical ones (side effects unknown).”
“Well, you say, smoking has dreadful side effects. Certainly on some people, but not on all,” he concluded. In fact, Hockney relocated from Los Angeles to France in 2019, with the predominant motivation of being able to smoke in restaurants.
Norman Rosenthal, co-curator of ‘David Hockney 25’, opening this week at the FLV, shared, “For him, smoking is a symbol of freedom, to end bossiness. He doesn’t like being told on the packet some awful scare warning. He is very conscious of his physical fragility, but his mind is as clear as is his memory.”
