Fishtank 

Sarah Joncas painted 'Fishtank,' an oil on panel, blending contemporary elements with timeless symbolism. The goldfish, swimming about the figure, carry a history stretching back to ancient cultures, representing prosperity and abundance, often seen as symbols of good fortune in domestic settings. Observe how the woman holds a smartphone, an icon of our modern world. Yet, around her swim goldfish, a motif that once adorned the silk robes of emperors, signifying wealth and power. This juxtaposition is striking, isn't it? Consider the fish—isolated in their tanks, a symbol of our own potential isolation in the digital age, as we are surrounded by screens, seeking connection yet often feeling more detached. The painting stirs a deep, almost subconscious recognition. We are drawn into this image, perhaps because it echoes our own struggles with the balance between the tangible and the virtual, between tradition and modernity. The goldfish, once a symbol of vibrant life, now swims in a world mediated by technology, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols.