Curatorial notes
Scott Fraser created this painting, "Fish Wish," presenting us with a dried fish suspended over a wishbone. The wishbone itself, derived from fowl, is an ancient instrument of divination and communal hope. Here, the symbolism of the wishbone is intertwined with the fish. Fish, for centuries, has been a symbol of abundance and spiritual sustenance, appearing in early Christian iconography as a representation of Christ. Yet, this is not a living fish, but a memento mori, a reminder of mortality. This pairing evokes potent emotions. The hope inherent in the wishbone is juxtaposed with the stark reality of death represented by the fish. In the depths of our collective memory, we recognize that these symbols do not exist in isolation but are interwoven with our deepest fears and desires. As such, Fraser’s "Fish Wish" captures the cyclical nature of life, death, and the enduring human capacity for hope, forever resurfacing in new forms.