Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993) was a prominent painter of abstract expressionism. Berkeley #22 is part of his Berkeley Series done between 1953 and 1956. He began this series after completing graduate work funded by the GI Bill at the University of New Mexico.

In Berkeley he became intensely interested in the land and city around him. His use of color and a nearly aerial perspective mark these as profound views of the 1950’s. Diebenkorn is considered one of the most influential artists of postwar America.

In this work, we can recollect, imagine what the Bay Area was like decades ago. In the beautiful tints and shades and shapes of this piece, can you see a California of fields and blue skies with just a hint of a developing highway system near the top? 

Much has changed in this urban area. A current view would need to include a tangle of freeways and the smaller shapes of the man-made. I hope there are artists preserving views of the San Francisco Area now. I hope they are chronicling the beauty of a current Berkeley and painting gratitude for what has been accomplished. I also hope they are painting the areas of current human suffering where the work of our faith resides here and in every city in America. May we do this work of policy and spirit. Amen.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church