Love is Love

David Jester

Oil on wood

40 x 40″ (102 x 102 cm)

“Love is Love” by David Jester is a powerful celebration of intimacy and authenticity, capturing two men embracing underwater in a moment of profound connection. The rich blue palette dominates the scene, transforming the pool into an immersive and tranquil environment. The interplay of light and water refracts their tattoos and skin tones, adding layers of complexity and symbolism to the work. The underwater setting creates a sense of timelessness and depth, suggesting that love, in its truest form, exists beyond societal constraints and superficial judgments.

Jester’s technique masterfully balances hyperrealism with subtle abstraction, using the distortion of water to explore themes of identity and perception. The tattoos, intricate and varied, serve as personal narratives etched into the subjects’ skin, each one telling a story of individuality and self-expression. The tender, protective posture of the embrace speaks volumes without words, presenting love as both a sanctuary and a bold statement of visibility. The contrast between the serene blues of the background and the warm, flesh-toned figures draws the viewer’s focus to the emotion radiating from their gaze and gesture.

Part of Jester’s ongoing pool series, this piece delves into the complexities of modern gay life, particularly the way identity is navigated and presented in online spaces. The pool becomes a metaphor for the isolated yet connected nature of these digital environments—clear yet distorting, open yet confining. Through the lens of water, Jester invites the viewer to reconsider the fluidity of love and identity, emphasizing that true connection transcends the distortions of perception.