Let me say straight away that I do not endorse smoking in any shape or form, I don’t want to glamorise it, I don’t want to encourage anyone to take it up, continue doing it or not think about quitting. I myself gave up smoking over 5 years ago and am very proud of myself for doing so, I have absolutely no plans to start again and I know that it has no redeeming features whatsoever and am pleased to enjoy a longer, hopefully healthier life without it. So having said that, let me tell about this little exhibition that caught my eye…

‘Hands Free’ is a small collection of oils that portray that most mystical of arts – being able to successfully smoke a cigarette without the use of your hands. It’s a celebration (if you will allow such a word to describe such an awful habit) of a skill that will soon (hopefully) be long forgotten. Experienced smokers are able to drive cars, paint nails, hold conversations, cook a meal or even go swimming (I’ve seen it done) whilst a lit fag dangles trembling from their lips. And local artist Patrick O’Donnell has captured some of these multi-tasking moments for us all to enjoy (or not) in an exhibition currently running at the Phoenix Open Studios.

Famous faces and iconic images are rendered in simple colourful lines – most immediately recognisable – but all with the same cigarette held beautifully in place. Danny Zuko sits alongside Deirdre Barlow both bought together by their uncanny ability mastered over many years. Celebrated smokers Barack Obama, Britney Spears, Amy Winehouse and Mickey Rourke are all represented.

I totally get this exhibition, I understand it. In a world where smoking is no longer considered cool – there is a reason why only Dot Cotton and Liz McDonald are still allowed to smoke regularly on TV – who is going to stand up for this dexterity? This finely honed skill that allows you to enjoy your vice without real life tasks getting in your way! I remember it well myself (sadly I never forget how good smoking actually feels), I was an adept smoker, adroit and competent, perfectly able to inhale and exhale whilst contorting my face into elongated shapes in order to apply mascara. I almost used to fetishise the ability to extract my car-keys, open the door, ignition on and drive for miles without so much as a hand reaching to my mouth, apart from when an elegant ash-flick was required (sometimes if you had your window open even that wasn’t a necessity!). Basically I was good at smoking, as are plenty of others and this exhibition is just a little salutation to that.

HANDS FREE Phoenix Open Studios 11am –5pm 16- 18 October, 2010 Waterloo Place Brighton

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Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here