Fight Or Flight - Storybook (Little Red Riding Hood) | Mark Davies

Fight Or Flight (Little Red Riding Hood)

Floated story book, heavily embellished board, each of the 3 editions have a special detail that sits behind the perspex, bespoke float mount and frame.

Beware, wolves lurk in every guise.

I have taken a bold step to introduce the cloaked figure with the single intention that it truly transforms the emotion that this piece of art exonerates. By being shown from behind, I hope it resonates with many, many people. The moment I placed the figure (I refrain from saying ‘her’ for the reason I just mentioned) it genuinely brought tears to my eyes. I know why I created this piece and that moment when the impact of the image and its narrative just hits you right in-between the eyes.

You see someone who is on a path, a journey, a moment when they walk on, approached by, and flanked by wolves. Each wolf represents another challenge, another beast that needs to be tamed, if not killed. Look closely, a wolf is literally on their back, I did say look closely! Now look at the cloak, look at the sheer depth and richness of that red. With that saturation comes shadows and there lies the problem. Light and dark, very dark. Blackened, twisting thorns are interwoven with red roses and drive their way through the forest floor. Darkness resides to light in such a way that it can trip you up, the most painful falls are the unexpected ones. Sweetest tongue, sharpest tooth. Not every beast can be killed, sometimes it is just the acceptance that it can’t ever truly be slain but it can at least be tamed through the act of love, loving oneself. Keeping one’s wolves at bay can be enough to help you on your path.

A truly beautiful and pivotal detail within this scene is what exists beyond the figure, a clearing, a brief respite. What exists even before that is crucial. A beautiful white deer stands fixated and offers that much-needed guidance. Look upwards, the all-seeing owl offers wisdom in decision making. All hope is not lost. It never will be.

Everyone is different, everyone’s reasons for becoming lost are different. We all choose different paths, we deviate off them, we are pushed and kicked off them but with guidance we can, and always must find our way back to our path. How far in do you go before you admit and accept that you are lost? Do you choose a longer way out but it’s your way or do you accept guidance from others? There’s never any shame in that, sometimes the forest is just too dense and dark and you’re tired. With tiredness comes weakness and that leaves you open to attack from the wolves, either those that surround you, those that hide and hunt in packs or from the wolf within. Which has the sharpest tooth?