The Binding of Fenrir, 2023
Copper, enamel, ribbon
17 cm x 8 cm x 0.4 cm

I am enamored by the tale of the binding of Fenrir because of the emotional power of perspective storytelling. In Norse mythology, Fenrir was a massive wolf who, along with his parents and siblings, was prophesized to bring about the end of the world. He was tricked into being bound by an enchanted silk ribbon in the gods' attempts to prevent the apocalypse; however unsuccessful, after the world is destroyed, Norse mythology describes how life begins anew. The binding of Fenrir could be viewed as a triumph over evil, betrayal by supposed friends, or helplessness against fate. This was created with painting enamels over copper, a technique I learned with Mi-Sook Hur at the workshop Intermediate Enamel Painting: Exploring Colors and Backgrounds at Pocosin Arts School of Fine Crafts. I depicted a wolf on its back to mimic Fenrir’s initial playfulness and disbelief in being bound by the silk ribbon. I completed the piece with a velvet ribbon which creates the illusion of emerging from the enamelwork, and intertwining with the wearer