Oil on linen

170 x 100 cm

This series was partially inspired by a short story by Oscar Wilde, The Fisherman and his Soul. The story uses an allegory of the little mermaid to explore the Christian conflict between heart and soul. The Fisherman separates himself from his soul so that he can live with the mermaid, then once a year for three years the soul returns from travelling the world to try and tempt him to leave his love. We usually think of the soul as being insubstantial. The story plays with the idea of the soul having a physical manifestation, and shadows/reflections offering snatched glimpses into a spiritual realm.