Blue Ming Rising

In Blue Ming Rising, Lucinda Holland presents a captivating fusion of realism and surrealism, where a delicate koi fish appears to leap impossibly from a porcelain bowl into a moment suspended in time. Painted in oil on wood, the composition feels both precise and dreamlike, drawing the viewer into a quiet yet dynamic narrative.

Rooted in a surrealism wildlife style, the painting balances meticulous detail with imaginative composition. The koi is rendered with exquisite realism—each scale, fin, and ripple of water carefully observed—while the setting introduces an element of the unexpected. The colour palette is elegantly restrained, dominated by cool blues and soft whites that echo traditional porcelain motifs, contrasted against the deep, velvety black background. Subtle highlights in the water droplets and the fish’s form bring a luminous quality that enhances the sense of motion and fluidity.

This is an original work that showcases Holland’s ability to merge technical precision with poetic imagination. The interplay between stillness and movement, tradition and fantasy, gives the piece a quietly powerful presence. It is available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art and online.