Volunds Disco by Karen Chappelow
Volund in mythology is one of three brothers who stole the feathers/feather cloaks of three Valkyrs bathing in the river.
Unable to fly back to Asgaxrd the Valkyrs became imprisoned with the three brothers, and became their wives. Nine years passed and the wives managed to steal back their feathers and return to Asgard, with Volund’s wife leaving behind a gold ring for her husband. Mourning his loss – Volund became a much sought after metalworker who created fine swords and jewellery. He made 700 golden rings in anticipation of his wife's return, amongst the many tools wrought for warriors and kings.
King Nidud of Sweden wanted the spoils all for himself, locking Volund away on an isolated island – hamstrung to prevent his escape.
Tiring of this imprisonment, Volund devised his master plan of revenge. He tempted the king’s two sons to his foundry, beheading them and hiding their bodies. He made beautiful chalices from their skulls for the king, jewellery from their eyes for the queen, and brooches from their teeth for the princess.
After many years Volund then poisoned the princess’ beer, abducting, raping, and impregnating her.
Having fashioned wings for his escape he flew to the king, revealed his misdeeds, whereupon the king promised to bring him down with arrows to his death. With a blood-filled bladder strapped to himself Volund’s final revenge was to spill the blood of his slaughtered sons over the king and consorts. Yet the arrows missed and Volund flew away to his freedom – and presumably back to Asgard and his wife.
This story is similar to that of Daedalus and the labyrinth with Volund’s prison being the island instead.
The moral is assumed to be an example of primitive justice or an example of a vengeful god (Volund), restoring the 'natural' order of things of mortals and gods.
I've overturned this myth, making Volund the enslaved one and a toy for the much aligned Princess who is dressed as a swan/Valkyrie – the bringer of death. Volund is being used as a kite with the gold rings he has fashioned encircling his neck, the blood-filled bladder filled with a cache of jewels. Gold and priceless pieces are being distributed from a disco ball..spreading the wealth and exacting a more palatable revenge.
Indicative images only: Please note that print and framing previews are not to scale. The images above are an indication only. The scale and proportions differ between print sizes or original artwork sizes, as the framing has a consistant profile size and is not increased or decreased based on print or original artwork canvas size.
Available in 235 gsm art paper or 360 gsm stretched canvas and with three different framing colour options; black, blonde, and white wood.
Dimensions:
90 cm high x 100 cm wide
135 cm high x 150 cm wide
Open edition print.
In the notes section at the checkout please state if you would like it printed with or without a white border.