LA

In 1989 David Hockney accepted a commission to paint the interior of the residents pool at the Roosevelt Hotel, one-time residence of both David Niven and Lindsay Lohan. The resulting fresco makes playful reference to Hockney's earlier fascination with swimming pools whilst elegantly "quoting" from the limited palette of Matisse's 1952 mural La Piscine.

Over time, the work had become damaged and dulled both by the chemicals of the water and the constant contact of the guests rubbing against the floor and walls. Fortunately a full restoration was carried out by highly acclaimed fresco artist iLia Anossov in January 2008.


Imagine my disappointment when my quiet contemplation of the piece was disturbed by a group of Playboy models eating chips, drinking pints of cocktails and wagging their massively overinflated knockers at "boyfriends" who closely resembled baked potatoes with hair plugs.

You let me down, LA. I thought this was going to be classy but you let me down.