Mermaids, Waiting 2022

Editor: Zoe Hawk's "Mermaids, Waiting," painted in 2022, depicts three figures in vibrant colors. They seem a bit melancholy, lounging at the shore. What symbolic reading do you draw from this work? Curator: The mermaid figure itself is rich with symbolism, isn’t it? A hybrid creature, neither fully human nor fully animal. Across cultures, mermaids can represent both allure and danger, freedom and entrapment. Here, though, they appear somewhat listless, almost burdened by their existence. The spray bottle that one is holding is particularly jarring. What do you make of it? Editor: It feels very contemporary and almost a little comical given the mythical setting, suggesting the figures aren’t quite as carefree as you'd imagine. Maybe they're longing for something beyond their aquatic realm. Curator: Exactly. And think about the history of sirens, using their beauty to distract and lead to doom, versus their contemporary usage in television, children's stories, etc. The idea of "waiting" implies a longing, or maybe a frustration of desire? Are these mermaids waiting for sailors? Or perhaps something has changed—their desires, the sailors themselves? Are they relevant in today's world? The artist clearly wants us to reflect on what we know about these creatures and see the reality that sits before us. Editor: That tension between mythology and modernity makes the painting so compelling! Curator: Yes, the painting serves as a symbol of transition—between the timeless myth of the mermaid, or a larger conversation on female identity— and an anxious awareness of an altered reality. Editor: Thank you; it really opens up new ways of seeing the painting and how the visual language impacts contemporary interpretations of mythical symbolism. Curator: My pleasure; art has the potential to teach us about the human condition throughout different eras!