From tossing coins into fountains to whispering hopes into the wind, wish-making rituals are as old as time – and fish, in many of these stories, are the keepers of those wishes… Now, some of that magic is swimming into St Helier.
A new fishy art installation in the Central Market opened this weekend, and islanders are invited to visit and see if it can help their dreams come true…
The lore of the ‘wish fish’
The wish-granting fish appears in folklore across various cultures.
In Jersey, legend has it that witches would allow fishermen to pass safely along the coastline if they were thrown the thirteenth fish from their catch.
In Chinese mythology, meanwhile, a carp that swims upstream and leaps over the Dragon Gate at the top of the Longmen gorge is transformed into a dragon – seen by many as symbol of perseverance, ambition and transcendence, and often referred to in the context of students facing exams.
Over 200 public wishes
Inspired by the creatures’ links to wisdom and resilience, artists Esther Rose Parkes and Karen Le Roy Harris decided to create ‘Fish Wish – Paîsson d’Pâssion’ – an installation at the Central Market fountain, where both have fond memories of making wishes, surrounded by the swirling colours of goldfish.
Created during a 12-week residency with ArtHouse Jersey, the piece is woven from over 200 public wishes collected through conversations, stories and workshops.
These were then been knotted into ropes, forming a sculptural centrepiece. Above it all, origami fish float in the air, while a soundscape of stories surrounds the work.
“We wanted to recreate the fountain as a space for the community to once again come together and make wishes. We’ve had so many heartwarming and fascinating conversations. We hope our work reflects these encounters.”
The installation is free to view and will be in place until 27 June.
