Over the past 40 years, David Lynch has been a prominent figure when it comes to avant-garde art, whether in filmmaking, painting, or music. While Lynch gained most of his fame from his films and creating a new subgenre dubbed Lynchian, he was always using different methods to deliver the ideas that came to him. He was known to give zero information regarding the message of his art, wanting audiences to draw their own interpretations and conclusions.
Born Jan. 20, 1946 in Missoula, Montana, Lynch’s small-town atmosphere would later influence some of his most famous works. He moved frequently in his early years until enrolling in the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He had started out wanting to be a painter, until one evening when he had noticed that what he was painting had begun moving, giving him the idea to start a shift into filmmaking. He followed this with his first short titled “Six Men Getting Sick,” a series of abstract paintings depicting six men becoming more and more ill, repeating six times.
Lynch eventually moved to Hollywood where he began working at the AFI Conservatory. Shortly afterward, he created his debut film, dubbed “Eraserhead.” While it started out as a midnight showing at theaters, it grew a small cult following due to its dreamlike visuals and sound design. “Eraserhead’s” unique form of storytelling showed a trend that would follow throughout the rest of Lynch’s career. One of many notable aspects is the casting of Jack Nance as the lead, Henry Spencer, which would start one of the first decade-long friendships that Lynch was known for.
However, his next movie, “The Elephant Man,” is what gained him his first hint of recognition in filmmaking. While often overlooked by fans today due to its lack of the usual traits sought after in his films, it was and still is critically acclaimed.
His subsequent film “Dune” would star Kyle MacLachlan who would become one of Lynch’s closest friends. “Dune” did not have the public reception that many had hoped for, but Lynch still took a chance on MacLachlan in his next production, giving him the lead role in one of his most celebrated films, “Blue Velvet.”
To this day, “Blue Velvet” is referred to by many fans as their favorite movie of all time. This film starred MacLachlan alongside Laura Dern, another of Lynch’s lifelong friends and collaborators. Both actors would continue to have lead roles in movies and shows directed by Lynch until they would once again be on screen together in 2017, with the release of the long awaited “Twin Peaks: The Return” on Showtime.
The films, paintings, and music created by Lynch are all full of his signature mysterious tone and are very often described as having a disturbing nature; however, this could not be a more incorrect way to describe Lynch himself. Throughout his life, he was often known as being a funny person with a contagious sense of humor.
Additionally, Lynch started practicing transcendental meditation in 1973 and would continue this practice for the rest of his life. He described it as a way to gain “effortless access to unlimited reserves of energy, creativity and happiness deep within.” Travelling across many countries, Lynch went on a journey to discuss transcendental meditation with people across the world. He was a strong advocate for the practice and wanted to spread the ideas it included. Anyone who is interested in these practices should visit the David Lynch Foundation to find out more.
On Jan. 16, 2025, David Lynch passed away at the age of 78. Four days later, on what would have been Lynch’s 79th birthday, his children invited people from around the world to join in a meditation in his memory.
Throughout his life. Lynch always had one goal in mind: to take the ideas he had “caught” and translate them to the medium he best saw fit the idea.
The artworks that Lynch created in his life have had profound impacts on the lives of many people across the world including myself. His work focused on creating emotions more than making sense or being understood. He was a true visionary and a one of a kind person in every sense.
I encourage anyone reading to delve into the dream world of David Lynch and experience the many works he created. Whether it’s your first experience or your hundredth, there is always something to discover.
