Pisces 

Editor: So, here we have "Pisces" by Fernanda Suarez, a striking figurative piece made with acrylic paint. It immediately feels symbolic and ethereal to me, almost like a modern take on a mythological scene. What strikes you most about it? Curator: The imagery resonates with familiar symbols: the water, the nude, and most obviously, the fish. In many cultures, water represents the subconscious and the source of life. The nude, here, isn't just about the body, but about vulnerability and truth. Notice how the koi fish, particularly, often symbolizes perseverance and good fortune in Japanese culture. How do you see them interacting here? Editor: That’s interesting – I hadn’t considered the cultural background of the fish. They almost feel like extensions of her, or emotions externalized, particularly with the red markings. They are both a part of her and distinct from her body, like emotions almost escaping or surrounding her. Curator: Precisely. And red is a key colour here, connoting passion, blood, but also danger. Red markings also seem to spread onto her skin almost like an illness – or a revelation? Considering the astrological sign Pisces is about intuition and sensitivity, could it represent heightened emotional awareness? Editor: That adds another layer of meaning – like the artist is visually exploring the emotional depth often associated with Pisces. It moves it away from a simply beautiful painting into a commentary about sensitivity and self-awareness. I never thought of linking the red that way! Curator: Visual symbols always gain meaning and change through their history and cultural interpretation. The power is in how an artist layers those signs. It's this continuity of imagery, across eras and beliefs, that makes this work so resonant. Editor: I definitely have a new appreciation for how deeply ingrained some of these symbols are and how powerfully they can be reinterpreted. Thank you!