Name: We Swam Amongst The Fishes 3
Brand: Julian Opie
Rating: 5 (231 reviews)

Meaning & Analysis

We Swam Amongst The Fishes 3 is a print from Julian Opie’s We Swam Amongst The Fishes series from 2003 that shows an open space of water featuring various species of fish swimming. Set against a flat, teal backdrop, Opie depicts the scene in his characteristic style that toes the line between realism and graphic design.

The We Swam Amongst The Fishes series was produced following the artist’s installation at Sadler’s Wells theatre in London and the Museum of Modern Art in Chicago. Though this series is unusual for the artist in terms of subject matter, Opie created the prints working from photographs taken on a trip to Bali. We Swam Amongst The Fishes 3 is therefore representative of the artist’s desire to capture the world around him.

Opie creates a sense of depth within the image by rendering the swimming fish in various sizes and positioned at arbitrary angles. We Swam Amongst The Fishes 3 demonstrates Opie’s skill in creating depth and realism within an abstracted visual language, using flat colour, thick lines and simplified shapes. Like much of the artist’s oeuvre, this print was made through the use of new computer technology in the artist’s studio.

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.