New Public Artwork Revealed in Jersey

Community Wishes Take Flight in Jersey’s New Public Art Installation

A new public art installation inspired by local voices and cultural memory has been unveiled in the heart of St Helier, Jersey.

Titled Fish Wish – Paîsson d'Pâssion, the piece brings together the heartfelt wishes of more than 200 community members, collected and woven into the final artwork by artists Esther Rose Parkes and Karen Le Roy Harris.

Unveiled on Saturday at the iconic Central Market fountain, the installation was created over a 12-week residency supported by ArtHouse Jersey. The artists described the project as a celebration of shared hopes, storytelling, and the emotional connections formed through everyday interactions.

“We were drawn to this residency because of our childhood memories of making wishes at the fountain,” said the artists in a joint statement. “We wanted to reimagine it as a place where people could once again gather, reflect, and share their dreams.”

Central to the installation is a large origami fish suspended above the fountain—symbolising not only the wishes of the Jersey community, but also the imagined dreams of sea creatures, tying the island's maritime heritage into the narrative.

ArtHouse Jersey noted that the motif of a wish-granting fish is rooted in folklore across cultures, representing transformation, abundance, and resilience—fitting symbols for a project grounded in communal hope.

“We’ve always loved the market,” said Parkes and Le Roy Harris, “but this experience gave us a deeper appreciation for the people, stories, and rhythms that shape it.”

The installation is now open to the public, inviting passersby to pause, reflect, and perhaps make a wish of their own.