On Wednesday, David Lynch, the avant-garde artist, musician, and director best known for Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, passed away. He was 78 years old.
Words fail to encapsulate the sheer breadth and depth of his creative legacy, to say nothing of his impact on generations of artists who grew up influenced by him and his work . Lynch was, at once, inimitable and endlessly imitated; an artist who cast his unflinching gaze to the darkest corners and impulses of American life, yet he remained resolute in his belief in humanity’s capacity for good.
He was, and remains, one of the most idiosyncratic creators of his lifetime, a sagely and mercurial personality with a wry sense of humor and unflappably earnest commitment to what he so lovingly referred to as “The Art Life.”
In the wake of the news of Lynch’s death, the internet has seen an outpouring of love and remembrances from friends, colleagues, and admirers of his nearly 60-year-long career. We’ve pulled together a collection of some of our favorite tributes, memories, and celebrations of Lynch and his art. Feel free to chime off in the comments and share some of your favorite Lynchisms.
And if you can believe it, it’s a Friday once again.
Kyle MacLachlan, actor
Naomi Watts, actor
Mädchen Amick, actor
John Carpenter, director
Edgar Wright, director
Francis Ford Coppola, director
Darren Aronofsky, director
Ron Howard, director
Jane Schoenbrun, director
James Gunn, director and CEO of DC Studios
Sam Lake, creative director of Remedy Entertainment
Hideo Kojima, founder of Kojima Productions
SWERY, director of Deadly Premonition
Open Mike Eagle, rapper and comedian
Flying Lotus, musician and director
Don Hertzfeldt, animator and director
Tim Heidecker, comedian and director
Naoki Urasawa, mangaka
“Thank you, David Lynch, for all the great works I love. I’m reposting a drawing I did a while ago. RIP”
