Metamorphosis in Red

Folk and fairy tales have been told for centuries and they remain a mainstay in children's literature. When they were first written down , the tales included startling episodes of mistreatment of women , including sexual assault , oppression and violence. Though these stories have become sanitized over time , they still contain vestiges of the original written injustices. As a child , being read these narratives normalized this conduct and even as an adult , the stories continued to seem benign. Examining these tales more closely , especially the original versions , allows us to question the behaviors in the stories and related episodes in today's world. My thesis exhibition examines the well-known folk tale Little Red Riding Hood. Textiles , wall hangings , enameled wearable art , and a setting of handmade and found objects recreate emotions and themes from the tale. As they enter the installation , I ask the viewers to consider the challenges the girl protagonist faces through the various historical versions of the story. The exhibit culminates with my interpretation of the story's ending , a shift from the traditional views of Little Red Riding Hood