To some, what may come to mind at first when looking at this art piece is that The Big Bad Wolf had devoured Little Red Riding Hood and now wears the hood as a trophy as he looks upon HIS kingdom, HIS forest – dominant and reigning supreme. To others, who note the haggard and thin appearance of the wolf’s body, the skin hidden beneath the fur stretched taut across his ribs – the wolf still hungry as if he hasn’t killed in a long time and under the cloak – a lifted to his muzzle paw as if he weeps. To others, it tells a story of regret, of a wolf who regrets his hasty murder and comes to this cliff to mourn the loss of a pure soul.
But if we consider the title, it suggests a completely different story – a story best illustrated by a poem by Nikita Gill – “For The Red Riding Hood Who Was The Wolf.”
One definition of a Sphinx is that it is a Greek female mythological beast with the head of a woman and the body of a lion, typically depicted with wings, who speaks in riddles and devours those who can’t solve them. This makes it a most enigmatic and dangerous creature. The artists’ title “Red Sphinx” speaks volumes about the character depicted in the image. A mix of female and beast, she tricks those she meets in the woods and once they are fooled devours them until order is restored. And yet her face is veiled. More beast now than the little girl she was once upon a time. The sky grey and the trees menacing – the red flowers like droplets of blood dribbling from the equally crimson hood. All of this speaks about the loss of what once was. Strong, strange and wild, yes. But at what cost?
By seeking to defeat the monster which plagues our dreams one must take caution as one risks to become the very beast they sought to destroy in the first place.
Post scriptum: This art piece also reminded me of a new take on the Little Red Riding Hood stories – a graphic novel by the name of “The Little Red Wolf” by Amélie Fléchais. It offers another twist on the art piece, as well as on the fairytale. It’s worth checking out in one’s free time.
Link to Art: https://www.deviantart.com/tetramera/art/Red-Sphinx 729398929?utm_source=AllSocialMedia
About Artists: “Tetramera” – is a collective pseudonym created by two freelancing digital artists by the names of May and Sin.
(https://www.deviantart.com/tetramera)
-L.L.L.
The Junction Journal 