Surge Wrasse

Surge Wrasse, Thalassoma purpureum (Forsskål, 1775) Artwork description A scientifically precise portrait showing a large terminal male alongside a smaller female. The composition highlights the species’ sexual dichromatism and life-phase shift, with the male rendered in saturated greens and blues with magenta facial striping, and the female in the more restrained initial-phase palette and detail. Subtle glazing and fine brushwork describe fin rays, scale rows, and the sleek, fast-swimming profile typical of reef-crest surge zones. The aim is fidelity to form and colour while retaining the immediacy of a field observation. Why this painting was created This work was commissioned as a deeply personal gift, honouring a family’s connection to Norfolk Island. The Surge Wrasse holds a special ...