Redear Sunfish 2002

Editor: Here we have Larry Stark’s *Redear Sunfish*, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. The presentation of the fish creates a striking image. What significance do you find in this piece? Curator: Fish, throughout history, are potent symbols, often representing abundance, fertility, and transformation. The vibrant blue backdrop juxtaposed with the silver and yellow of the fish might evoke the subconscious connection between the terrestrial and aquatic realms. Editor: So, you’re saying that the choice of setting enhances the symbolic weight? Curator: Precisely. Stark, whether consciously or not, taps into a deep well of cultural memory. Consider how water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal, and how fish are seen as embodiments of those ideas. What do you make of the fish staring off to the left? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that deeply, but now the work feels more meaningful. I appreciate the layers of interpretation.