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Beware of the Wolf. Mixed media painting with metallic leaf inserts on canvas, 51.8 W x 73.5 H cm.
This is a graphic-style, minimalist composition with a few primary elements and colors, such as red, blue, black and silver. The dark blue background is divided by intersecting wave-like forms in metallic shades of the colors.
In a dramatic night atmosphere, under the light of the crescent moon, a young girl appears wearing a red coat with a hood, in the shadow of which the silhouette of a wolf is outlined. The wolf with its head turned up towards the moon has its mouth open, as if it is howling.
The painting challenges the viewer’s visual perception, as at first glance, the girl appears to be wearing a mask over her eyes, a perception that is contradicted upon a second, more careful look, when one realizes that the girl has lowered her gaze and is looking downward.
The transition from one face to the other is intriguing, as in the first case the face becomes threatening, reminiscent of a dark medieval figure, while in the second, the viewer sees the calm face of a shy young girl.
Τhis Red Riding Hood tale interpretation can be seen as a metaphor of the psychological concept that our greatest fears might not come from external dangers but from within ourselves.
The wolf hides in the woods, and similarly can symbolize the darker, untamed aspects of our personality. In psychological terms, this can be linked to Carl Jung’s concept of the “shadow” — those parts of ourselves that we might deny or suppress because they are socially unacceptable or personally uncomfortable. The wolf within can represent fears, desires, or instincts that we struggle to control or integrate into our conscious self.
High-quality acrylic paints have been used as well as metallic leaf inserts at three parts (moon, girl’s face, and body) which have been varnished to prevent oxidation and be protected from scratches. Similarly, the rest of the artwork has been varnished with a matte acrylic varnish that also provides UV protection.