David Hockney had to be rescued by a team of five firefighters after becoming trapped in an overcrowded lift in Amsterdam.
The incident took place as the world-renowned artist was going outside for a cigarette, before a scheduled interview with the BBC Radio 4 Today programme at the Conservatorium Hotel.
It was reportedly caused by overcrowding in the lift, made worse by the heavy camera equipment being carried by a number of journalists.
According to The Guardian, action was taken by the Daily Mail’s editor Geordie Greig, who got the hotel manager to call firefighters. He also managed to pass a fold-up chair and some water through a gap.
Hockney and the others were freed after about 30 minutes, after which the 81-year-old artist – by this point desperate for a cigarette – posed with firefighters before asking for a cup of tea.
The A Bigger Splash artist was attending the opening of a new exhibition at the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdamm, titled Hockney – Van Gogh: The Joy of Nature, which explores the connections between the two artists’ work in Hockney’s later landscapes.
He had earlier revealed his plans to visit his house in Normandy, which will be a new location and subject for his work.
“I can’t think of anything better in life than watching the spring happen in Normandy in 2019, I mean what better thing can I do. I can’t think of anything. Van Gogh would love it.”
He seemed unconvinced about the idea of returning to paint in Britain any time soon: “I think France is a lot more smoker friendly... I take that into consideration as well.”
The new Hockney show opens to the public this Friday and runs until 26 May.
