In the view of some respected critics Hockney is nothing more than an overrated minor artist To this one can counter that Hockney might seem minor because it is unacceptable today to be so popular rather than because his work is lacking in substance Hockney himself is not selfdeluding he is aware of his limitations and thinks that it is beside the point to dismiss his work because it does not measure up to an abstract concept of greatness Hockney does not claim to be a great artist and is aware that only posterity can form a final judgement on his stature