20 questions with artist William Cookson
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
“Onwards and upwards”.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Get medieval on your ass”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Who is Kerry Katona?
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Clarity.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I would swap all my wealth for a lifelong membership of Alton Towers.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
They shouldn’t charge me for my overdraft.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Moist”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Charity goes to places it shouldn’t.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Women pushing prams shouldn’t be allowed to be on their mobile phones. That really annoys me.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
James Bond as he’d keep me safe. I’d also invite Ursula Andrews. That’d be enough company for me.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
A fry up. I would eat it at The Dorchester.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
11am.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A bloody Mary.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
House parties because I like seeing other people being hospitable.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Matthew Steeples.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Smoking too much.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
My family motto – “Nil desperandum” (“do not despair”).
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
An Aston Martin.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
That I’m actually quite sane.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A load of old invites and not enough new ones.
William Cookson is a portrait and urban abstract artist. He studied at Harrow School and the Charles H. Cecil Studios in Florence.
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