David Hockney: Title, "No." Fancy necklace, "Yes."

Order of Merit

In 1990, David Hockney was offered an Order of Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth.  Following a tradition of a-noble intellectuals and artists, Hockney turned down the title of "Sir."  Alan Bennett, David Bowie, Michael Faraday, Stephen Hawkins, and George B. Shaw are a few who declined an offer to be an English Knight.

But, David Hockney has accepted an appointment to the Order of Merit, a more selective honor bestowed on a citizen of the commonwealth by the monarch.  There can only be 24 living OM recipients at any given time.  No title goes with the appointment, but the recipient receives a cool red and blue medal and the right to say "OMmmm" after being addressed.

Self-portrait, 1999.  David Hockney, OMmmm 

Check out David Hockney, OMmm's self portraits at Poul Webb's art blog.