David Hoyle (performance Artist) - Private Life

Private Life

"I would ban capitalism – the cruellest, most insulting system any so-called civilisation could choose to impose upon itself. I would declare every sentient being legally equal, i.e. plankton is equal to someone educated at Eton. And every new born individual would be issued with a global share portfolio which they may then choose to re-invest in their own education."

David Hoyle discussing his political views, 2009

A fierce and vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights, Hoyle has publicly stated that should he ever be in a position of political power, "I would remove anyone who's vaguely homophobic to a concentration camp outside the M25, where they could keep each other company until such time as it was deemed appropriate for them to be dispatched." Nonetheless, Hoyle remains highly critical of the mainstream gay culture in Britain, believing it to be "off-the-peg" and generic, and describing it as "the biggest suicide cult in history". In his work he has attempted to fight against the idea that gay people are "not socialist, not political, not left-field, just as pathetic and ridiculous as anybody else, that we couldn't give a fuck about anything as long as we can listen to Kylie and go shopping."

Hoyle suffers from mental breakdowns, something which he blames on his abusive childhood. He often raises the issue of mental health in his performances, relating that "It's one of the last great taboos. People who would rush to help someone with a broken leg run away when someone has a mental health problem." Hoyle is also a painter, often reflecting his own life in his work; one of his works was for instance titled "Hi, I'm David and 48 and Returning to Psychiatric Help Which Is in the Public Interest".