This is the prequel, or sequel (depending on how you view it) to my 2015 piece that was entitled ‘Toile & Trouble’ and is a dark and surreal interpretation of the Brothers Grimm version of the classic fairytale Hansel & Gretel. This scene shows what the children saw as they stumbled upon the witches house. The whole concept across both pieces focuses on deception and trickery, leading you into temptation and effectively then delivering you straight to evil.
So what you see is incredibly dark and sinister yet sugar coated and quirky, as well as slightly odd! Sugar-filled treats appear much larger than they normally are, or is that just in the minds of those who are tempted by them? As with my other more recent ‘Storyteller’ pieces there are a number of current references that suggest a secondary narrative that I love to inject into my work. For example, the oversized sweets and cakes link to an ongoing concern of child obesity and you will spot subtle objects such as a bottle of cola, scrawled messaging slating the ‘sugar tax’. Have you spotted the pig?!
Look how the gingerbread men appear quite sinister with one coming out of the shadows towards you akin to a horror film, one has already been attacked, is all hope not lost? The swan, a character who guided the children to safety in the Brothers Grimm version appears to be doing the complete opposite here, who can be trusted, if anyone? Do you even trust yourself?
There is so much to seek out and digest (excuse the pun!) within this scene and I have wanted to tackle this piece for an age - it fits perfectly with my ongoing concept of ‘greed breeds monsters’. I guess it really is a classic example of just how you can literally live or die by your decisions and the consequences of being let down and deceived by misplaced loyalty. I mean seriously, who would trust a swan?!