Word Fishing

Anthony (Vahni) Capildeo, illustrated by Molly Fairhurst
Word Fishing
2023

Commissioned by Henry Moore Institute for the exhibition The Weight of Words, 7 July - 26 November 2023

Shoals of word-fish swim across the surface of this poem by Anthony (Vahni) Capildeo, brought to life by illustrator Molly Fairhurst. Each word-fish emphasises a different vowel sound, and five hand-written phrases bend and pull on the surface of the image, like tidal lines or glints of sunlight.

The illustration was designed to go on the façade of the Henry Moore Institute. Clad in green-black granite – a stone that compresses millions of years of mineral history – its flecks of colour and highly polished surface gives the stone a watery appearance that captures dappled reflections. The phrase dear heart breathe encourages visitors to re-tune their attention as they enter the building.