Anybody approaching newsstands for tomorrow’s press will be forgiven for thinking the Sun’s masthead had been designed by a 5-year-old child.
It has, as it happens, been created by acclaimed artist David Hockney, a man who is considered one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century.
The prominent ‘Sun’ wording is mirrored by a schoolboy sun sketch, a stroke of genius by Hockney’s account, who said of the opportunity: “I was delighted to be asked. Once I thought about the idea it didn’t take me long. The sun and The Sun. I love it.”
Artist David Hockney redesigns The Sun masthead https://t.co/4rNVSxBkAU pic.twitter.com/iTjWWyShIA
— Press Gazette (@pressgazette) February 2, 2017
Which is why it is clearly a piss take. You can’t tell me that an artist such as Hockney would take such a gig, regardless of the promotional points it will win, if it wasn’t an attempt at something bigger.
It almost reminds me of the Black Mirror “National Anthem” episode. As Twitter explodes with messages of contempt for the Yorkshire-born artist the real message is surely in something far deeper and far more meaningful – perhaps the dangers of another ill-considered and emotive public outcry.
Poignant, if that is the case, or perhaps it’s a case of wishful thinking.
Epic trolling by David Hockney.
— Liz (@captainboo) February 2, 2017
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