Name: We Swam Amongst The Fishes 1
Brand: Julian Opie
Rating: 5 (231 reviews)

Meaning & Analysis

We Swam Amongst The Fishes 1 is a large-scale screen print from Julian Opie’s 2003 series We Swam Amongst The Fishes showing an open space of water featuring various species of fish swimming in an open body of water. Opie depicts the scene in his characteristic graphic style, and flattened colour, rendering the fish in thick, dark outlines set against a lilac backdrop.

Inspired by a trip to Bali, this series is unusual for Opie in terms of subject matter but is representative of the artist’s desire to capture the world around him. Opie invites the viewer to step into each scene that he depicts, showing a view of the water from a diver’s perspective. Paired with the series title, the perspective of the diver is also emphasised by the way the fish swim in different directions and some appear to face outwards.

We Swam Amongst the Fishes 1 is notable for its square format and all-over composition that prioritises style over accurate representation. As a computer-generated image, this print is indicative of fantastical scenes in video games, spurring a sense of the familiar, yet alien in the viewer. Opie thus encourages the viewer to step into a stylised representation of the world so as to question how we look at the real world we live in.

Julian Opie, born in 1958, dances through the contemporary art scene with a distinctive digital allure. A trailblazer of the 1980s New British Sculpture movement, Opie's work is a highly stylised blend of Pop Art and minimalism which navigates the intersection of technology and visual expression. From his early experiments with computer-generated art to his iconic portraits and animated installations, Opie's work exudes a captivating simplicity. His signature style, marked by bold lines and reduced forms, is internationally recognisable and has made him a key player in British contemporary art.