Main lessons
Poster banned for smoking rekindles debate on art censorship
The Hockney exhibition is the largest retrospective of his career, with 200+ works spanning 70 years .
Hockney denounces "complete madness" , defending his artistic authenticity.
An advertisement for a major art event in Paris was recently removed from public spaces, sparking a heated controversy. The poster, which depicted renowned 87-year-old British artist David Hockney holding a cigarette, was deemed to violate French laws prohibiting any tobacco-related depictions on public transport. The move has reignited a complex debate about artistic freedom, public health, and the capital's cultural identity.
The poster promoted a massive retrospective of Hockney, organized by the Fondation Louis Vuitton in its iconic Frank Gehry-designed building in the Bois de Boulogne. Running from April 9 to August 31, the exhibition spans 70 years of his career through more than 200 works—paintings, drawings, and experimental photographs—offering what organizers describe as the most comprehensive presentation of the artist's work to date.
A banned image, an angry artist
The poster's removal quickly sparked outrage in art circles. Hockney himself condemned the decision as "complete madness," emphasizing that the portrait was not an incitement to smoke but a faithful representation of his creative process, which he described as inseparable from cigarettes. "It's not an advertisement—it's a documentation of my way of working," he stated.
Curator Sir Norman Rosenthal also denounced the censorship, seeing it as a "dangerous slide into puritanical thinking." He pointed out that art's mission has always been to challenge social norms, not to conform to them. The irony is not lost on critics: while the promotional image is banned from the Paris metro, Hockney's works depicting smokers remain on display within the exhibition grounds.
Metro, exhibition and cultural paradox
The Parisian transport network has unwittingly become the scene of this conflict between artistic expression and regulation. By law, all tobacco advertising is banned from transit zones. Authorities have therefore blocked the poster's display in metro stations, while painted works—some of which are similar—are exempt from this ban.
For critics, the decision illustrates an inconsistent application of the law, symbolically erasing a part of the history of Paris, a city long associated with smoky cafés and intellectual debate. For others, it's a fitting reminder that public spaces must meet strict health standards, especially when it comes to the exposure of young people.
Between artistic freedom and societal norms
This controversy is part of a broader debate about the place of art in public spaces. Should artistic expression be adapted to modern health imperatives, or should its authenticity be preserved, even if it shocks or disturbs? The organizers of the Fondation Louis Vuitton have chosen their side: the banned poster is clearly visible inside their building, thus affirming their support for the artist.
Beyond the controversy, the exhibition itself offers an immersion into the world of David Hockney – a rich, engaged, and uncompromising retrospective. It reflects a career marked by experimentation and a constant desire to push boundaries, as seen in this latest episode, where a simple image reignites a fundamental debate on art, society, and freedom of expression.
FAQ
Why was the poster banned?
Because it shows David Hockney holding a cigarette, which violates French law prohibiting any image related to smoking on public transport.
Who is David Hockney?
A major British artist, aged 87, known for his experimental paintings, drawings and photographs.
Where is the exhibition taking place?
At the Louis Vuitton Foundation, in a building designed by Frank Gehry, in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris.
Is the image visible anywhere?
Yes, inside the Louis Vuitton Foundation, despite its ban in public spaces.
What is the position of the organizers?
They defend the image as a faithful reflection of the artist and a legitimate artistic expression.
Nicolas Sarazin