The Axolotl is a fish found exclusively in the Xochimilco lake in Mexico City. It has extraordinary regenerative abilities and changes colour if it needs it to survive.

 

According to legend, after the Sun and the Moon were created, the Aztec Gods decided to sacrifice themselves to give them movement so the day and night could exist. They jumped into a fire pit, all except Xólotl, the God of Fire and Lightning. Instead, he ran away to hide from his twin brother Echatl, who was in charge of the sacrifices. Xólotl took several forms before going underwater transforming himself into a “monster fish” or Axolotl until his brother found him and finally killed him.

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In the Catholic faith, water plays an important role in many traditions and it is associated with purity. As Jesus and his Disciples referred to themselves as fishers of men, Galway´s Cathedral is the perfect place to become an underwater world for an Axolotl to exist in the city.

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This piece aims to represent the transformation of the Catholic Church in Ireland. By losing power it led to the acceptance of "others" and allowed the existence of other religions in the country.