He is not easy to categorise, because although in the 60s he knew lots of painters and was influenced by the abstract expressionism of the late 50s — including exhibitions of Jackson Pollock and Rothko at the Whitechapel art gallery — later in life he stood rather aloof from the contemporary art world. (theguardian.com)
It also spoke to the notion of painters not leaving rags in the corners of their studios because linseed oil and certain types of oils can spontaneously combust and that's how a lot of painters have accidentally burned their studios down. (kavigupta.com)
PAUL CUMMINGS: Well, there was a time when a lot of the painters felt there was a while conspiracy on Hess» part to promote certain abstract painters and not others. (aaa.si.edu)