Public artwork unveiled in Jersey

Elliot Ball
BBC News
ArtHouse Jersey Artists Esther Rose Parkes and Karen Le Roy Harris pictured in a wooden stall. They are dressed in jackets and cardigans, and both are wearing caps. There are large ropes placed in front of them. There is a sign reading: "Welcome! Come in and make a wish. Come in and listen to our fish tale of the week - The 13th Fish."ArtHouse Jersey
Artists Esther Rose Parkes and Karen Le Roy Harris collected more than 200 wishes for their installation

A new public artwork containing the wishes of more than 200 people has been unveiled in Jersey.

The installation, known as Fish Wish - Paîsson d'Pâssion, was unveiled on Saturday at the Central Market fountain in St Helier.

It was created by artists Esther Rose Parkes and Karen Le Roy Harris - who gathered wishes from people that were woven into the final artwork.

They said they hoped the work reflected the "many heart-warming and fascinating conversations" they had with people throughout the process.

ArtHouse Jersey Artists Esther Rose Parkes and Karen Le Roy Harris pictured in front of the fountain in Central Market, St Helier, in Jersey. They are both smiling and looking towards the camera. There are a variety of market stalls around the fountain in the background.ArtHouse Jersey
Artists Esther Rose Parkes and Karen Le Roy Harris created the installation over the course of 12 weeks

Ms Rose Parkes and Ms Le Roy Harris added: "We were drawn to this residency because of our childhood memories of making wishes at the fountain, and we wanted to recreate it as a space for the community to once again come together and make wishes.

"We've always loved the market, but this residency has given us a deeper appreciation for its people, stories, and rhythms".

Suspended high above as part of the artwork is an origami fish, representing both the dreams of the community and the wishes of the sea creatures, the artists said.

ArtHouse Jersey said the wish-granting fish appeared in folklore across cultures, symbolising wisdom, transformation, abundance, and resilience.

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].

Related internet links