Bellany was born and brought up at Port Seton, a fishing village east of Edinburgh.His father and grandfather were both fishermen so the sea, boats and fish are a common subject in much of Bellany's work. As a schoolboy Bellany often worked at gutting fish, hence the numerous references to fish heads and bones in his imagery.This painting is particularly sinister due to the presence of the two skeletal figures.Bellany’s paintings are intimately connected with the human condition, and particularly with his own life. Bellany underwent several personal crises during the 1980s, including a successful liver transplant.These events are reflected in the choice of disturbing subject matter and the nervous but vigorous brushwork found in his paintings. However, in spite of these strong biographical references, the painting itself remains mysterious, resisting any direct explanation.
