Althouse: "When he lit a cigarette, a nurse in blue scrubs appeared over his shoulder, peering at Hockney with apparent concern."

April 2, 2025

"When he lit a cigarette, a nurse in blue scrubs appeared over his shoulder, peering at Hockney with apparent concern."

"But by staying silent, the nurse respected the buttons that both he and Hockney wore, reading 'End Bossiness Soon.' The artist made those after the British government banned smoking in public spaces in 2007. These days, Hockney has 24-hour medical care, and ensuring that he will be well enough to go to Paris for the exhibition opening has been a priority for his team. He planned to travel by car, with his dachshund, Tess; his doctor would travel separately, he said. 'I am looking forward to it, because it is the largest exhibition I’ve ever had. Which it should be,' Hockney said with a wry smile. 'Shouldn’t it, really?'"

From "David Hockney Wants His Biggest Ever Show to Bring You Joy/The artist is 87 now and under constant medical care. But he was determined to make it to Paris for the exhibition of his life" (NYT)(free-access link).

5 comments:

Aggie said...: Philistine that I am, I am not aware of Hockney's work - but I can see what the fuss is about. Wow. Good for him! I hope the exhibit goes without a hitch.; 4/2/25, 8:36 PM
BudBrown said...: I liked the pools in the 70s. Thanks for the link. Thing I noticed more now are the palm trees. He got those annoying suckers right. But I thought his 2 works done recently for the retrospective are not good.; 4/3/25, 4:19 AM
Amexpat said...: Hockney is one of the few artists that I'd go out of my way to see a major exhibition. A number of years ago he stayed anonymously in a rural Norwegian hotel that I often stay at. The staff didn't know he was there until someone alerted them that a gallery had some posters for sale of the view from their hotel. It's a very good painting. I immediately recognized the view and that it was done by Hockney.
https://www.tumblr.com/kundst/168220983219/david-hockney-uk-1937-the-valley-stalheim; 4/3/25, 4:24 AM
JAORE said...: I make no comment on the quality of his art (except to note at least I can see what he is portraying).
But this caught my eye:
"These days, Hockney has 24-hour medical care, and ensuring that he will be well enough to go to Paris for the exhibition opening has been a priority for his team. He planned to travel by car, with his dachshund, Tess; his doctor would travel separately, he said."
Wow though little old me, the British health care system is far more generous than I imagined. /sarc.; 4/3/25, 8:03 AM
Earnest Prole said...: I saw his show in San Francisco a few years ago and was blown away.; 4/3/25, 5:46 PM