Freeman David

Britain's most highly acclaimed living artist will be the first person of the new century to receive the highest honour the city can bestow.

But the artist's first comments to his brother Paul who told him of the award were: "Will I be able to travel on the buses for free?"

Interrupting an intensive art session in his London studio to talk to the Telegraph & Argus, he said: "I am very happy, and very, very touched.

"It is my town and I spent 20 years of my life here and it coloured everything. No, I didn't expect it, but I am very, very proud."

Brother Paul - former Liberal leader of Bradford Council and Lord Mayor from 1977-78 - said David had always been proud of his roots and had proclaimed across the world that he came from Bradford.

"The family and all his friends are delighted that he has been recognised in this way. We are very proud. It is the highest recognition that the city can give to somebody."

A resolution that the honour should go to the artist was approved unanimously at a Labour group meeting on Monday and is being supported by both the Tories and Liberal Democrats. It will now go to a special Council meeting for approval before Bradford's most famous living son receives the highest award the city can give.

The move has been welcomed as a massive fillip for Bradford.

It comes during the year the Council draws up its partnership bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "I am delighted we will be able to honour him in this way at the start of a new century and Millennium."

He praised Mr Hockney's huge talent and versatility and said his working class background made him an inspiration to everyone in the city.

The artist, regarded as one of the world's finest painters, will be the 24th individual to become a Freeman since the award began at the end of the 19th century.

The honour has been bestowed upon writer JB Priestley in 1973 and veteran politician Baroness Barbara Castle in 1997.

David Hockney was born in Eccleshill in 1937. He attended Wellington First School and Bradford Grammar School.

He won the Gold Medal at the Royal Academy of Art in the 1960s and has gone on to become one of the most famous artists of his time.

Mr Hockney also received the prestigious Order of the Companions of Honour in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 1997.

The artist met the late Jonathan Silver, owner of Salts Mill, when they were both at Bradford Grammar School and they maintained the friendship.

The world's biggest single exhibition of his work is on display in the towering mill.

Jonathan's brother, Robin, now Managing Director of Salts Mill said: "I am proud and delighted. He lived here for many years and still thinks of himself as coming from Bradford. He has never been the least bit coy about it."

Shipley Labour MP, Chris Leslie, said: "It is an enormous fillip for Bradford. It is absolutely fitting because it is a very rare award. He has had enormous world wide impact."

It was also welcomed by Bradford West Labour MP Marsha Singh as a massive boost for the city. He added: "He has put Bradford on the world map of arts and culture."

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe said: "It is great news for Bradford. The people are very proud of him."

The Council was approached last year by the Saltaire Project - an organisation set up to promote the historic village - in a bid to get the artist honoured.

Project chairman Councillor Phil Thornton said: "We will be absolutely delighted. He has put Bradford and the gallery at Salts Mill on the world map."

Council Executive member for Culture, Heritage and Leisure, Councillor Barry Thorne said: "He is the greatest living artist , who has never forgotten Bradford. This is really good in our bid year for the European City of Culture."

The move was welcomed by opposition groups in the City, too.

Leader of the Council's Tory group Councillor Margaret Eaton said: "I am very, very pleased. He has never forgotten his roots and made a contribution to Bradford in many, many ways."

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, leader of the Liberal Democrat group praised the artist's contribution to the city.

THE HONOUR dates back to medieval times and could be inherited or even bought before 1835.

In the old days it carried rights and privileges, for instance no-one but a freeman could "keep a shop for merchandise".

Now the status of the rare honour is the reward and the recipients receive a scroll at a historic ceremony where they swear obedience to the Lord Mayor. The freemen are also invited to the annual Lord Mayor's investiture.

The concept has now been extended in Bradford to honour local institutions.

The first person to receive the honour was Sir Henry Mitchell, who played a large part in developing the technical college, and spent his working life in textiles.

T&A Opinion

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