The Ghost Fish by Maik Weidemann

Immerse yourself in the ‘Heavenly Deep Sea’ – where the cosmos and the oceans merge to convey an urgent message. This first image in my 12-part series depicts a surreal interpretation of the mysterious ghost fish. Its body glides weightlessly through a deep-blue expanse, streaked with delicate banks of clouds and stars, reminiscent of both the night sky and the undiscovered depths of the ocean. Inspired by its real-life counterpart, the fish’s head is depicted as transparent: delicate coloured pencil strokes reveal the brain within, lending the creature an aura that is both vulnerable and fascinating.
The message behind the work:
This image is a visual wake-up call. The wildlife of our oceans, and in particular the pristine, sensitive deep sea, is under acute threat. If we continue to exploit our planet and destroy its habitats at the current rate, we will deprive these creatures of their very means of survival. The grim yet poetic consequence: at some point, we will no longer be able to observe these beautiful creatures in the sea, but only as ghosts – as mere constellations and spirit beings in the sky. The fish’s transparent head symbolises the absolute fragility of life.
On the technique:
Throughout this entire series, I work with a delicate mixed-media technique. The expansive, atmospheric background was applied using acrylic paint, whilst the fish itself was brought to life through detailed rendering with pencil and coloured accents using coloured pencils – particularly in the case of the internal organs of the head.
• Style: Surrealism / Fantastic Art / Ecological Art
• Technique: Mixed media (acrylic background with pencil and coloured pencil drawing)
• Mood: Mysterious, profound, melancholic, cautionary