The “Devil Fish” is a sculpture created by artist Alexander Calder in 1937, embodying elements of both Abstract Art and Surrealism. It is categorized as a stabile, which is a term Calder used to describe his stationary abstract sculptures, as opposed to his mobiles which would move with air currents.
In describing the artwork, the sculpture has a playful and organic form, with curvilinear shapes that seem to suggest motion, despite the work being stationary. The overall form might be reminiscent of aquatic life, which aligns with its title, “Devil Fish.” The sculpture appears to be constructed from sheet metal, which has been cut, shaped, and painted. There are elements that could be interpreted as fins or a tail, and a circular part that might represent an eye or a head of the fish. The surface of the piece seems to have a smooth finish with a dark color palette that gives the artwork a shadowy, mysterious presence, enhancing its surreal quality. The stabile rests on supports that keep it balanced and elevated, suggesting an underwater creature gliding through the ocean’s depths.
