On Reflection

David Jester’s "On Reflection" is a breathtaking exploration of movement, distortion, and self-perception, where the fluidity of water becomes both a visual and conceptual lens. The composition captures a striking moment of suspension—the subject’s body, rendered with exquisite realism, bends and twists beneath the pool’s surface, reshaped by the refracting light and the water’s rippling distortions.

The rich interplay of warm and cool tones, with deep bronzes and shimmering blues, creates an almost sculptural quality, highlighting the dynamic tension between form and fluidity. The pool tiles, slightly warped by the water’s movement, ground the composition while reinforcing the illusion of depth. Above the surface, the figure’s reflection dissolves into a dreamlike, surreal abstraction, suggesting a duality—who we are versus how we appear, the conscious self versus the fragmented subconscious.

Jester’s meticulous handling of light and refraction blurs the boundary between realism and abstraction, inviting the viewer to contemplate themes of transformation, identity, and the ephemeral nature of self-awareness. The subject’s expression—serene, introspective—further amplifies the painting’s contemplative aura, as if suspended in both water and thought.

With "On Reflection," Jester masterfully captures the transitory nature of perception, using water as both a literal and metaphorical medium. The work resonates with hyperrealist portraiture while embracing a psychological depth that makes it a compelling, immersive experience—one that lingers in the mind like the slow, undulating rhythms of water itself.

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About the Artist

David Jester, from Palm Springs, California, holds an MFA in Sculpture from Rutgers University. His pool series reflects gay life online, exploring diversity and community richness. The pool symbolizes isolation in the modern world. Overall, each piece shows people inside and outside the pool holding distorted views of each other.

Additionally, Jester exhibits widely, including at The Queer Museum in Sao Paulo and Ministry of Culture in Mexico City. His work appears in top publications like My Gay Eye and It’s Nice That, featuring interviews with the artist.