Contemporary artist Dylan Martinez continues to expand his celebrated Water Bag sculptures with the introduction of the Swedish Fish series, the newest edition within his ongoing body of handblown glass works. Known for transforming familiar, disposable objects into meticulously crafted sculptures, Martinez has built a distinctive practice centered on illusion, nostalgia, and the surprising potential of glass. With the release of Swedish Fish, the artist introduces a playful new visual element to the series, capturing one of the most recognizable candies of childhood suspended inside his signature glass water bags.

Martinez’s Water Bag works have become widely recognized for their uncanny realism. At first glance, they appear to be simple plastic bags partially filled with water, the kind often used to transport small fish from pet stores or fairs. On closer inspection, however, the viewer discovers that the seemingly fragile bag is actually solid glass, painstakingly handblown and sculpted to replicate the delicate folds, creases, and tension of thin plastic. The illusion is so convincing that many viewers initially question whether the object is truly glass. This moment of visual confusion is central to Martinez’s artistic intention, prompting viewers to reconsider assumptions about material and form.

The Swedish Fish edition introduces a vibrant new element into this familiar format. Inside each water bag, bright red fish-shaped candies appear to float effortlessly within the glass environment. The playful imagery instantly evokes childhood memories, tapping into a shared cultural nostalgia surrounding one of the most recognizable candies in popular culture. The fish forms provide a striking visual contrast against the transparency of the glass, creating a sense of movement and buoyancy within the sculpture.