“Golden Wishes” portrays my mother standing in contemplation, surrounded by boxes and goldfish. The goldfish symbolize her current wishes, while the boxes represent those she has set aside. A goldfish emerging from one box signifies a wish becoming a renewed priority. I chose goldfish because, in Chinese culture, koi fish symbolize wishes and dreams and goldfish, a close relative of koi fish, serve as an Americanized counterpart for them.Their absence in the window’s reflection highlights their dreamlike quality, contrasting with the reality depicted in the reflection. The large goldfish in the top left is an invitation for viewers to reflect on their own guiding wish and every element in this piece is intentional, and meant to encourage exploration and interpretation.