David Hockney is a Pop Art artist. He was born in Britain in 1937 and trained in London. He moved from Yorkshire to California in 1964 and swimming pools captured his imagination. He saw pools as iconic to the artificial California lifestyle and landscape and the anonymous fun he observed. Hockney carried this anonymity to new heights in A Bigger Splash, his most famous work. This is a scene in colors muted by sunlight and manicured in straight lines. Here even the palm trees look stylized. And then amid this sterile perfection, we see an explosive splash without a diver.

David Hockney taught for many years at UC Berkeley and is still painting. Years ago, he focused fresh eyes on America. He seemed to show us how perfection can erase the unpredictable, life-giving connections among people. He represented in the language of paint and brush the choices he witnessed. He called these questions. Then and now, where do we put our time and treasure? Do we choose a perfect pool, yard, house or do we choose the inevitable messiness of human interactions? Is this not just another choice about love?

We give thanks for this artist and his visual commentary. May we be inspired to community and shared fun in God’s name and love.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church