Medium: Acrylic paint on print making paper

Size: 15 in w x 22 in high

An illustration work, hand made/hand painted by artist Andrew Naeger

The history of the koi fish has always fascinate me with it’s symbolism and references to history in contrast to it’s current state. This species was not always thought about as a decorative element reflecting art and culture, used in landscape design, etc. Once a sustainable food source that was critical during a time of the Chinese invasion into Japan. The koi fish continued to be part of the culture and evolved once identified for its potential beauty in breeding multiple colors and patterns. Now the koi fish represents many stories and represents culture symbolically in different ways. In my work this duality is drawn upon, the storied history and the defining beauty of a cultural symbol. I use pairs of koi as self representation in my work as a twin and a Gemini. Also to explore dynamic compositions. The interaction between koi are a joy to study.