Inspired by famed British artist Damien Hirst’s Spot paintings, Val Malesku created this series of serigraph prints with the Salmon Egg motif, dually representing the Moon. Both Salmon and the Moon are associated with cycles – the cycle of the seasons, cycles of the moon, and the life cycle of the Salmon. Both the Moon and the Salmon have associations with regeneration and renewal.
Salmon was a fundamental food staple to many, if not all, nations in the Pacific Northwest. As sustenance and nourishment, Salmon is often viewed in connection to regeneration, health, and life. The salmon is regarded as a sacred and highly respected creature embodying resilience, abundance, and the cycle of life. One of the more symbolic associations of Salmon is its connection to the concept of abundance. The annual migration and return of the Salmon to their ancestral spawning grounds can symbolize the cyclical nature of life and the continuous renewal of resources. Salmon can be identified by small pectoral and dorsal fins, scales, and the presence of eggs or roe.
